In Brief
An employee, injured during work-related duties in March 2013, filed a compensation claim under the Employees Compensation Act, 1923 against his employer and insurer. The Compensation Commissioner partly allowed the claim, awarding Rs. 8,70,576. On appeal, the High Court set aside this order and dismissed the claim solely on jurisdictional grounds—but without hearing the employee. The Supreme Court held that such dismissal violated natural justice principles and remanded the matter for fresh hearing before the High Court, emphasizing that procedural fairness must precede substantive decisions.
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