SC scolds the State of Rajasthan for harassing a poor litigant for 22 years and imposes Rs. 10 lakhs to be paid to the labourer within four weeks

On February 16, 2024, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC), Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, scolded the State of Rajasthan for harassing a poor litigant who was compelled to file repeated litigation to reap the benefit of the Labour Court’s award. As per the award of the Labour Court, the respondent was reinstated in 2001 and the writ petition by the State of Rajasthan was dismissed. While hearing the matter, the SC bench dismissed the petition stating it was “a frivolous petition”. Further, it imposed a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs on the State of Rajasthan and ordered them to pay the amount to the respondent within four weeks from February 16, 2024. Also, the SC ordered to submit the proof of payment before the Court within 6 weeks. The order reads, “It is unfortunate that the State of Rajasthan has been harassing the poor litigant, a part-time labourer, who was extended benefits by the Labour Court in the year 2001, i.e. for the last 22 years he has been litigating, This is totally a frivolous petition. It is accordingly, dismissed with costs of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees ten lakhs only) to be paid to the respondent within four weeks from today (February 16, 2024) and file proof of such payment before this Court within six weeks.”