In Brief
Two workers claimed they performed labour for the appellant on her land during 1991–92 but were not paid minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. The competent authority and appellate authority found in their favour and directed payment with penalty. The High Court dismissed the appellant's writ petitions and intra-court appeals. The Supreme Court held that questions of fact—whether workers laboured and wages due—cannot be reopened in special leave appeals; concurrent findings by two lower authorities bind the appellate court. The workers were necessary parties whose non-impleadment justified dismissal; later impleadment applications were rightly rejected as tardy. The penalty was lawfully imposed. Appeals dismissed; appellant ordered to pay awarded wages to workers' legal representatives within three months.
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