State Bank of India and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
WPA 24525 of 2025, decided 17-11-2025 by Smita Das De, J. State Bank of India (principal employer) v. Union of India and others. Concerns a direction by the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), Kolkata dated 31.07.2025 under a conciliation proceeding (notices dated 30.07.2021) requiring SBI to enquire into the termination of workman Sankar Gayen by the contractor (respondent no. 6), following a complaint by the labour union (respondent no. 4). Rival positions on Section 12(2), Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: respondents contended no statutory bar to appointing the petitioner to conduct the enquiry; petitioner contended Section 12(2) relates only to settlement of disputes and the bank was not a party to the dispute. Petitioner's written objection and application dated 10.09.2025 against the 31.07.2025 order were pending. Court disposed of the writ petition without deciding merits, directing the RLC to consider the 10.09.2025 application within six weeks and pass a reasoned order after hearing all parties. Keywords: Industrial Disputes Act 1947 Section 12(2); conciliation officer; principal employer; contractor; termination; enquiry direction; Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) Kolkata; reasoned order.