SC: Labour Court's factual finding should not be disturbed by Writ Court without a compelling reason

The Supreme Court in the case Ganapati Bhikarao Naik Versus Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited observed that the factual findings of a Labour Court should not be normally disturbed by a Writ Court without a compelling reason.

The Supreme Court in the case ordered the reinstatement of an employee who had been terminated due to conflicts which arose from his estranged marital relationship.

The bench comprising of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti was hearing the present matter.

The bench in the case allowed the appeal of an employee.

In the present case, the appellant secured a job as a 'Helper' as part of the rehabilitation package after his father-in-law's land was acquired for the Kaiga Atomic Power Project in 1990. Therefore, after the employee's marriage with his wife became estranged in around 1997, his father-in-law sought termination contending that he was not married to his daughter, disentitling him to continue the job. The marriage was dissolved by a consent decree in 2001.

However, the department inquiry was being answered against the appellant and the said decision led to the termination order dated April 19, 2002.