The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled in favour of Gurnoop Singh, nearly 26 years after his services were terminated. The Court emphasised that reinstatement and continuity in service could not be denied. However, by the time the verdict was reached, Singh had surpassed the age of superannuation and opted for compensation instead of reinstatement.
Singh had been employed as a ‘work munshi’ from July 1992 until his termination in November 1997, which was executed without notice or retrenchment compensation, violating the Industrial Disputes Act. Singh initially approached the High Court in 2012 after the Jalandhar Industrial Tribunal declared the termination by Punjab Police Housing Corporation illegal, awarding him only Rs 19,000 as compensation.
The Tribunal acknowledged the wrongful termination but refrained from ordering reinstatement due to the nature of Singh’s appointment, instead granting him a modest compensation.
Justice Vashisth, after reviewing the Tribunal’s findings and case documents, asserted that the relief of reinstatement and continuity in service should not have been denied. He further noted that Singh could have earned a significant salary had he continued in his role. Consequently, the Court awarded a one-time compensation of Rs 3 lakh, considering the duration of service and potential salary increases.
The High Court ordered a lump sum payment of Rs 3 lakh to Singh, who was earning a monthly salary of Rs 1,500 at the time of his termination.
