In Brief
The Food Corporation of India challenged a High Court Division Bench order requiring it to regularize and absorb workmen previously ordered to be absorbed in a 2001 Single Judge decision. The Supreme Court held that once a High Court appeal order becomes final, it must be complied with in substance, not merely in form. The Division Bench was correct in setting aside an intermediate contempt order that had effectively permitted non-compliance. The Court dismissed FCI's appeal and directed full compliance within three months, warning that failure would constitute contempt of court.
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