A driver of a bank asked for reinstatement and backwages payable to a workman under the Industrial Disputes Act when his services were terminated without compensation. He produced the bank?s payment vouchers and stated that he also signed in the bank register. The bank contended that he was appointed by its officer; the bank merely paid the wages and the employment came to an end with the officer?s retirement. The Supreme Court held that where the bank could not produce the scheme, the vouchers were genuine, and when he signed in the register, and it was established that he worked for more than 240 days, further proof of the fact that he was a workman was unnecessary. The order of reinstatement was upheld (Bank of Baroda vs Ghemarbhai Harjibhai Rabar).

The municipality had employed agencies to supervise midday meals scheme in schools. The commissioner of Anantpur municipality (Andhra Pradesh) sought to employ additonal agencies for the same work. The existing agencies challenged the decision. Dismissing the petition and appeal, the Andhra Pradesh High Court held that the commission has power to review the performance of the agencies and make changes. The scheme is meant for the benefit of students. The agencies cannot convert the scheme into profit-making ventures (D. Ameena Bee vs Commissioner Anantpur Municipality).

A husband alleged that the accused who was stay- ing with the couple took away his wife when he went to the well. The police recovered his wife a few days after the complaint was lodged. The accused was convicted of rape and kidnapping. The Rajasthan High Court held that the trial court erred in sentencing the accused. From the woman?s statement it was clear that she voluntarily went with the accused and passers-by said she showed no signs of being forcibly taken away. She is aged 35. She had earlier eloped for a few days. The court set aside the conviction (Gautam vs State of Rajasthan).

SOLON