Legal Case Summary

Case Details
Case ID 1b4e38c9-47bb-4101-8cc6-043622dd43b7
Body View case body.
Case Number Petition No. 76-P/86
Decision Date Nov 17, 1986
Hearing Date
Decision The Labour Appellate Tribunal ruled in favor of the petitioner, ordering the respondent to reimburse the medical expenses amounting to Rs. 4,392.05. It was determined that the management's withholding of the medical bills was mala fide, violating principles of natural justice. The Tribunal emphasized that actions taken in bad faith are challengeable, and every wrong has a remedy. The petitioner was also entitled to recover legal fees from the responsible management functionaries due to their intransigent attitude which forced the petitioner to resort to litigation.
Summary In this case before the Labour Appellate Tribunal, Punjab, the petitioner, Muhammad Mukhtar, challenged the withholding of his medical bills by Sargroh Vegetable Ghee, where he had been employed for 15 years. The Tribunal found that the actions of the management were taken in bad faith, violating the principles of natural justice. The petitioner was entitled to medical treatment for himself and his father as per the company's policy. The decision clarified that under the Industrial Relations Ordinance, actions taken in mala fide are subject to scrutiny by the courts. The Tribunal ordered the management to immediately pay the outstanding medical reimbursements and awarded the petitioner legal costs. This case illustrates the importance of protecting workers' rights and ensuring that companies adhere to fair practices. Keywords such as 'Industrial Relations Ordinance', 'mala fide actions', and 'natural justice' are crucial for understanding the legal framework governing labor disputes.
Court Labour Appellate Tribunal, Punjab
Entities Involved Not available
Judges Malik Abdul Majid Tiwana, Muhammad Mukhtar Khan
Lawyers Not available
Petitioners Muhammad Mukhtar
Respondents Sargroh Vegetable Ghee
Citations 1988 SLD 1211 = 1988 PLC 609
Other Citations 1978 P L C 350, 1983 P L C 701, 1983 P L C 458, 1986 P L C 234, 1981 P L C 293, 1983 P L C 1173, 1986 P L C 403, 1986 P L C 644, P L D 1964 S C 21
Laws Involved Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969
Sections 25-A