Workman Not Entitled to Section 17B Wages After Superannuation: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court held that a workman cannot claim wages under Section 17B of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, after attaining the age of superannuation.

The Court said Section 17B operates only while the employer–employee relationship subsists and cannot extend beyond the period a workman is legally entitled to remain in service.

It rejected the plea to continue payment on grounds of hardship, observing that statutory benefits must be confined to their legal limits.

The ruling came in a petition filed by LIC challenging payment of wages after the respondent’s retirement.

[Life Insurance Corporation of India v. G.K. Nijhawan]