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State of Uttar Pradesh and Others v. Parmanand Shukla, through Legal Representatives

Civil Appeal · Neutral citation not assigned (Civil Appeal No. 11525 of 2014)Decided 18 Dec 2014
Civil Appeal No. 11525 of 2014
Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla · Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre

Background

A daily-wage irrigation worker challenged his disengagement and obtained the same relief previously granted to similarly situated workers. Uttar Pradesh continued its challenge despite the earlier comparable litigation having become final. The worker died during the appeal, leaving his family to pursue the surviving monetary claim.

Decision Breakdown

The Court declined to reopen the already settled controversy concerning identical workers. It held that the deceased had been entitled to comparable relief, although reinstatement was no longer possible. Considering his service, wage history and dependants, it fixed ₹10 lakh as a lump-sum settlement of all claims arising from this service litigation, rather than require further calculation of back wages. The State was directed to pay the amount to his wife, Kiran Devi, by account-payee cheque or demand draft within three months. The appeal was disposed of with those directions.

Lesson Learnt

A worker's death can make reinstatement impossible without extinguishing the surviving financial claim. Where the entitlement follows final decisions for similarly situated workers, the court may mould relief into compensation for the legal representatives rather than reopen the settled dispute.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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