Legal provisions involved: Article 14 and Article 136 of the Constitution of India.

Judgement by: Supreme Court of India

Judge/Bench: Justice Vikram Nath

Facts

Several Junior Engineers were hired by the Jharkhand government in 2012 on a contract basis. Even though their job letters called them “temporary,” they worked for more than 10 years in proper government posts. Their contracts were renewed every year, and they did the same work as permanent staff. 

Later, the State suddenly decided not to continue them and refused to make them permanent, saying the contract did not allow regularization. The High Court agreed with the State, so the engineers went to the Supreme Court.

Key legal provisions

Article 14 and Article 136 of the Constitution of India.

Issues raised

Whether the government can keep workers on contract for years and then deny them permanent jobs; and whether this is unfair?

Arguments of the case

The engineers said the State used contract terms to exploit them despite long service. The government said they had accepted temporary jobs and could not claim permanency.

Judgement

The Supreme Court sided with the engineers. It said the government cannot treat workers unfairly or hide behind contract conditions after using their services for years. The Court ordered that they be made permanent and given service benefits.

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