In Brief
A workman employed by a government textile factory from 1981 was illegally retrenched in 1986 and reinstated in 1996 with continuity of service. The Industrial Court found he had 23 years of service and ordered regularization. The High Court set aside this order, finding only 5 years of service after reinstatement. The Supreme Court held that the entire service period, including the interregnum, must be counted without any break. Since the workman had worked continuously for over 23 years and the reinstatement granted continuity, he was entitled to regularization as a one-time measure under established principles. The Court restored the Industrial Court's award."
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