In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the Madhya Pradesh Labour Laws (Amendment) Act of 2002, which transferred the trial of criminal offences under labour laws from Labour Courts back to regular criminal Courts. The respondent unions challenged the amendment as violating Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court held that the legislature retains the discretion to choose the appropriate forum for adjudicating labour disputes, and the Court cannot substitute its wisdom for that of the legislature. The system has functioned smoothly in criminal Courts for over a decade without grievances, and no constitutional violation was established. The appeals by the State were accordingly allowed.
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