What Is “Industry”? Supreme Court’s Nine-Judge Bench to Revisit Labour Law Definition
Introduction: A Constitutional Reassessment of Labour Law The Supreme Court of India is set to revisit one of the most consequential questions in Indian labour jurisprudence: What constitutes an “industry”? A nine-judge Constitution Bench , scheduled to hear the matter on March 17 and 18 , will reconsider the expansive interpretation laid down in the landmark Bangalore Water Supply case (1978) . Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described the reference as the first matter referred to a nine-judge bench in the Court’s history , highlighting its constitutional and institutional significance. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for labour rights, public administration, educational institutions, charities, and government departments . Background of the Reference: State of Uttar Pradesh v. Jai Bir Singh Origin of the Reference The lead case State of Uttar Pradesh v. Jai Bir Singh seeks reconsideration of the definition of “industry” under labour laws. In 2017 , a seven-judge b...