The Bombay High Court has decided in favor of four workers from the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, ordering that they get their jobs back and be made permanent employees. The decision, given by Justice Milind N. Jadhav, deals with the unfair firing of these workers who had been working temporarily for several years.
This case involves four complaints filed by Pradip Ramesh Shinde, Bhushan Suresh Thakre, Sunil Ananda Bagul, and Sheikh Javid Sheikh Rashid against the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. They were hired as drivers and firemen and paid daily wages in 2017. Even though they worked continuously, they were fired on July 2, 2025, while their complaints were still being considered.
The workers, represented by Ms. Pavitra Manesh, argued that they were doing important jobs and worked alongside permanent employees. They claimed that the corporation's refusal to make them permanent was unfair, especially since they had been working continuously for over nine years.
"Pradip Ramesh Shinde, Bhushan Suresh Thakre, Sunil Ananda Bagul, and Sheikh Javid Sheikh Rashid have been working alongside permanent - regular employees of the Corporation and performing the same nature and duty of work as regular employees."
The Malegaon Municipal Corporation, represented by Mr. S.S. Patwardhan, argued that they couldn't make the workers permanent because of money problems. They said that their spending on employees was already too high according to government rules, which stopped them from creating new permanent positions.
"Malegaon Municipal Corporation is completely helpless to make fresh appointments in terms of sanctioned staffing pattern."
Justice Milind N. Jadhav found the corporation's reasons not convincing. He pointed out that Pradip Ramesh Shinde, Bhushan Suresh Thakre, Sunil Ananda Bagul, and Sheikh Javid Sheikh Rashid had been working continuously and deserved to be made permanent. The court criticized the corporation for taking advantage of the workers by keeping them as temporary employees.
"Admittedly Pradip Ramesh Shinde, Bhushan Suresh Thakre, Sunil Ananda Bagul, and Sheikh Javid Sheikh Rashid have been working continuously without any break and involved in essential services shoulder to shoulder with the permanent employees."
The court canceled the firing orders and told the corporation to give Pradip Ramesh Shinde, Bhushan Suresh Thakre, Sunil Ananda Bagul, and Sheikh Javid Sheikh Rashid their jobs back, along with all their past wages and benefits. The decision emphasized the need for fairness in how employees are treated, especially in public organizations.
"All four workers are directed to be taken back and reinstated into employment of the Corporation forthwith."
This decision shows how important it is to treat temporary workers fairly and ensure that employees who have worked for a long time get the benefits and recognition they deserve.
