In Brief
Chennai Port Trust challenged a High Court order directing it to treat canteen workers—employed by a cooperative society running a port canteen—as regular port employees entitled to equal benefits. The canteen operated for decades with port-provided facilities, electricity, water, and staff reimbursement. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court, relying on Indian Petrochemicals v. Shramik Sena, finding the port exercised substantial control over the canteen and its workers. Since both lower courts decided the case on undisputed facts and merits, the port's late objection that a labour tribunal was the proper forum was rejected as untimely and technical. The appeal was dismissed.
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