In Brief
The Union of India appealed against a High Court judgment directing regularization of casual workers at a government institute based on seniority. The casual workers, engaged since 1986, had been working for over 12 years without permanent status. The Court held that once the state decided to implement a tribunal-ordered seniority list (which the High Court had affirmed), it must strictly follow that list. The state had wrongly regularized junior workers while bypassing senior ones. The Court directed regularization according to seniority within three months, with age relaxation if needed, and confirmed entitlement to retiral dues for those who have crossed superannuation age.
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