Civil courts have no say in labour disputes: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that civil courts could not decide disputes between managements and employees, and, that they should be settled under the Industrial Disputes Act.

The court passed this ruling after an appeal by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. The corporation had terminated a probationer as his service was not found satisfactory.

He moved the court of additional munsiff challenging the company's decision. The additional munsiff held that his dismissal was illegal.

The management was directed to take him back with full back wages. The corporation appealed to the district court and the High Court, without success.

The Supreme Court judgment delivered by a bench headed by Justice Ruma Pal observed that the employee ought to have taken recourse to the remedies provided in the Industrial Disputes Act.

The civil court has no jurisdiction in such labour matters. The Supreme Court directed that the employee shall be discharged immediately, though he had been reinstated 15 years ago with full back wages following the munsiff court order.