In Brief
A driver employed by BSNL Haryana since 1991 was terminated in 2001 without following the mandatory procedures under Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Labour courts directed reinstatement with 50% back wages, which the High Court upheld. The Supreme Court found that while the termination was procedurally invalid, the employee—now aged 68 with no prospect of re-employment—had already received Section 17-B wages. The Court awarded a final settlement of Rs 2.5 lakh in lieu of reinstatement, clarifying this was not a precedent but a case-specific discretionary remedy considering the employee's advanced age and circumstances.
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