Satish Kumar v. M/S. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi

Delhi High Court · 18 Feb 2014 · 2014:DHC:911
Valmiki J. Mehta
RSA No. 58/2014
2014:DHC:911
civil appeal_dismissed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court dismissed the appeal holding that a private employer is not 'State' under Article 12 and contracts of personal service cannot be enforced, limiting the remedy for wrongful termination to damages.

Full Text
Translation output
RSA 58/2014
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
RSA No. 58/2014 18th February, 2014 SATISH KUMAR ...... Appellant
Through: None
VERSUS
M/S. GANDHI SMARAK NIDHI ...... Respondent
Through:
CORAM:
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VALMIKI J.MEHTA
To be referred to the Reporter or not? VALMIKI J. MEHTA, J (ORAL)
C.M. No.3328/2014 (exemption)
JUDGMENT

1. Exemption allowed subject to just exceptions. C.M. stands disposed of. + RSA No.58/2014

2. No one was present for the appellant on the first call. No one is present for the appellant even on the second call at 1.00 P.M. I have therefore perused the record and am proceeding to dispose of this second appeal.

3. The admitted position which emerges from the concurrent 2014:DHC:911 RSA 58/2014 judgments of the courts below is that the employer/respondent no.1 was a private employer and not a State under Article 12 of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, it is a settled law that there cannot be enforcement of a contract of a person’s services and which was prayed by the suit which is dismissed. The courts below have accordingly rightly held that at best the entitlement of the appellant/plaintiff, if he was wrongly terminated from services, was to claim damages and not to file a suit for reinstatement in services.

4. In view of the above, there is no merit in the appeal. No substantial question of law arises under Section 100 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC). Appeal is therefore dismissed, leaving the parties to bear their own costs.

FEBRUARY 18, 2014 VALMIKI J. MEHTA, J Ne