The Employees State Insurance Corporation, v. M/S Harsha Wheel Movers Pvt. Ltd.
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC (K.S. Hemalekha J., 23.03.2026) allows ESIC's MFA No. 7347/2015 under s.82(2) ESI Act against ESI Court, Bengaluru order allowing employer Harsha Wheel Movers' s.75 application; restores s.85B damages of Rs. 1,19,396 for contributions July 1992–March 1995 paid 2005–2007. Reassessment/ad hoc initial determination does not obliterate delay or shift the statutory due date; mens rea/actus reus not required for damages (Goetze (2008) 8 SCC 705; Horticulture Experiment (2022) 4 SCC 516; Renram Fashions MFA 3186/2017; KSOU MFA 3912/2021). Keywords: Section 85B damages, delayed ESI contribution, reassessment, pari materia Section 14B EPF Act, beneficial social welfare legislation.
What did the court decide?
Miscellaneous first appeal allowed; order dated 31.07.2015 in ESI Application No.30/2010 set aside; respondent-employer held liable for damages under Section 85B of the ESI Act for delayed payment of contribution pertaining to July 1992 to March 1995.