Topic
Bombay High Court holds that the Industrial Court cannot deny reinstatement without first resolving the dispute over whether resignations were tendered. The ruling mandates payment of settlement benefits with 6% interest to workers, reinforcing procedural fairness in unfair labour practice disputes under the MRTU & PULP Act.
The Bombay High Court has ruled that in domestic enquiries under the MRTU & PULP Act, employers need only prove misconduct on a preponderance of probabilities-not beyond reasonable doubt. This lowers the evidentiary bar for disciplinary actions, directly impacting employee rights in industrial disputes and reinforcing the tribunal’s deference to internal investigations.
Bombay HC rules that 13 years of continuous service in core manufacturing roles entitles casual workers to permanency under the MRTU & PULP Act, rejecting employer's reliance on artificial breaks. However, relief for terminated workers was quashed due to jurisdictional limits of the Industrial Court.