Petitioner
Petitioner
(PETITIONER)
(IMPLEADED CO PETITIONERS)
v.
THE UNION OF
LEMURIA
(RESPONDENT)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................2
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES..........................................................................................4
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION...............................................................................9
STATEMENT OF FACTS............................................................................................10
STATEMENT OF ISSUES...........................................................................................12
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS...................................................................................13
WRITTEN PLEADINGS...............................................................................................17
1.3. Not following Standing Orders for termination (under the Industrial Employment
SUSTAINABLE IN LAW?
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III. WHETHER THE ORDER OF CONVICTION UNDER SECTION 223 OF THE
UNION?
3.1. The Unconstitutionality of the Order Restricting Freedom of Movement and Assembly
3.3. Urgent Need of meeting to Address Essential Workers' Grievances Amidst the
Lockdown:
DATED 24.03.2024?
PRAYER...........................................................................................................................35
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INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
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Books referred: -
Online sources: -
1. www.blog.ipleaders.com
2. www.eprocure.com
3. www.indian.kanoon.com
4. www.indiancode.nic.in
5. www.livelaw.com
6. www.manupatra.com
7. www.scconline.com
8. www.supremecourtcases.com
9. www.supremecourtobserver.com
10. www.lawlex.com
11. www.lawsisto.com
12. www.supremecourtjudgement.com
13. www.highcourtjudgement.com
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CASES REFERRED: -
no.645/2022
6. Indian oil Corporation ltd. v. Ashok Kumar Arora AIR 1997 SC 1030
10. M.L. Singla v. Punjab National Bank & other AIR 2018 SC 4668
11. Paschim Bangha Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West 1996 SCC (4) 37
Bengal
12. People’s Union for Civil liberties v. Union of India AIR 1997 SC 568
15. Suresh Koshy George v. The University of Kerala 1969 AIR 198
16. Tata Engineering and Locomotive co. ltd. v. Their 1981 AIR 2163
workmen
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COLLEGE, TINDIVANAM.
LIST OF ABBREVATIONS
1. & And
3. Anr. Another
4. Art. Article
7. CJ Chief Justice
8. Co. Co-operation
9. Co. Corporation
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37. V. Versus
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COLLEGE, TINDIVANAM.
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
The Hon'ble Supreme Court of Lemuria has the jurisdiction to hear and decide the
present matter under Articles 136, 32, and 139A of the Constitution of Lemuria. The
grounds for establishing jurisdiction are as follows:
Article 136 (Special Leave Petition): The employer, Cauvery Health Products Limited, has
challenged the Labour Court's awards in the High Court of Podhigai. The Supreme Court
has taken up these matters after a petition for special leave was granted. Article 136 empowers
the Supreme Court to hear appeals against orders from any court or tribunal in the country.
Article 32 (Constitutional Remedies): The Society for Noble Principles of Law & Literature,
along with Charles, filed a Writ Petition directly in the Supreme Court under Article 32,
challenging the lockdown order dated 24.03.2024. They claim a violation of the right to life
and liberty (Article 21) and the right to health, guaranteed by the Constitution. This allows
individuals to approach the Supreme Court directly to enforce their fundamental rights.
1
Article 139A 2(Transfer of Cases): The Hon’ble Supreme Court, under Article 139A, has
the power to transfer cases from one High Court to another or to itself if these involve the same
or substantially the same questions of law. In this case, Charles informed the Supreme Court
of the overlapping issues between the Labour Court’s matters (currently pending in the High
Court of Podhigai) and the petition challenging the lockdown. Exercising its authority under
Article 139A, the Supreme Court transferred the Writ Petitions from the High Court to itself
for a unified resolution.
Since both the writ petitions and the employment-related cases share common legal and
constitutional questions particularly concerning the impact of COVID-24 and the ensuing
lockdown the Supreme Court has rightly consolidated them for joint adjudication under its
jurisdictional authority.
Thus, the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate the present matters under Articles
136, 32, and 139A of the Constitution of Lemuria.
1
Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 24 (w.e.f. 1-2-1977).
2
Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 21, for cl. (1)
(w.e.f. 1-8-1979).
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STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. Background of Lemuria:
with India’s laws. The Podhigai State government adheres to central laws."Cauveri Health
2. Employment Structure:
The establishment has Standing Orders aligning with the Model Standing Orders, with
specific additions regarding probation and misconduct. Probation for new hires lasts one
3. Incident on 16.02.2024:
Aravind (permanent workman, Union President) and Bashir (probationer, Union General
managing the store section. Narmada witnessed Aravind and Bashir attempting to take free
samples of sanitizer and masks. They claimed it was normal practice for the employer to
distribute these samples by mid-month. Narmada reported the incident, expressing fear for
her job.
Charges of theft were framed against Aravind and Bashir. They denied the allegations. The
enquiry was adjourned due to the workmen wanting to engage their union’s vice
5. COVID-24 Pandemic:
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A COVID-24 outbreak led to strict measures from the government, including a nationwide
lockdown and social distancing guidelines, impacting business operations. A local order
prohibited gatherings of more than five people, effective from March 25, 2024.
6. Union Meeting:
In April 2024, Aravind and Bashir held a union meeting, violating the District Magistrate’s
order, leading to their conviction under Section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code.
7. Termination of Employees:
On April 25, 2024, Bashir's charges were dropped, but he was terminated for
misconduct and unlawful assembly. He claimed victimization due to union activities and
was dismissed.
8. Legal Challenges:
Both employees challenged their terminations in the Labour Court, which ruled in their
favour, finding violations of natural justice. The employer filed writ petitions in the High
A registered society filed a writ petition against the lockdown order, claiming it infringed
The Supreme Court of Lemuria transferred the pending writ petitions from the High Court
for common disposal, addressing the interlinked issues of employment, rights violations,
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and public health.
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STATEMENT OF ISSUES
ISSUE-1
ISSUE-II
ISSUE-III
Whether the order of conviction under section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code is
unconstitutional, being violative of the right of Charles and other office-bearers of
the trade union?
ISSUE-IV
Whether right to life and liberty of the citizens of Lemuria including their right to
health guaranteed under the Constitution has been violated by the lockdown
order dated 24.03.2024?
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SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
I. Whether the termination order passed against Bashir is liable to be set aside?
It is humbly submitted before the hon`ble Supreme Court of Lemuria the termination order
passed against Bashir should be set aside as it is unjust, arbitrary, and violates principles of
natural justice. Bashir was terminated without a fair inquiry, as key evidence and witnesses
were missing during the domestic investigation. His role as General Secretary of the trade union
raises concerns about bias and victimization for his union activities, violating Section 5(f) of
i. The employer failed to conduct a proper inquiry, citing the COVID-24 pandemic, which
ii. Citing cases like Suresh Koshy George v. University of Kerala and D.K. Yadav v.
providing a fair hearing violates fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution
of Lemuria.
iii. Furthermore, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, protects blue-collar workers from
iv. The employer also failed to follow the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders)
Considering these legal violations, Bashir’s termination is unlawful and should be revoked.
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II. Whether the order of dismissal passed against Aravind is sustainable in law?
It is humbly submitted before the hon`ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the dismissal of
Aravind is being challenged as unsustainable in law. Aravind contends that taking free samples
of hand sanitizers and face masks was a common practice within the establishment, and he
believed he was entitled to these items based on past practices, creating a reasonable
i. Aravind also raises the issue of discriminatory treatment, noting that his co-worker
Bashir had similar charges recalled while he faced dismissal. This suggests that the
disciplinary action may have been motivated by Aravind's role as President of the
ii. Aravind's conviction under Section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code, concerning
unlawful assembly, does not relate directly to any misconduct justifying termination.
His actions were in the context of trade union activities, which are protected under
labour laws. The Labour Court found the dismissal disproportionate, emphasizing
that disciplinary actions must be proportionate to the misconduct and should not
iii. The dismissal process lacked proper procedures, as the employer did not provide
Aravind with a fair chance to defend himself, violating the doctrines of just cause and
fair procedure. The witness, Narmada, did not appear for the inquiry, and the
employer did not adequately consider Aravind’s rights during the process. The lack
of a proper investigation into the theft allegations further indicates procedural lapses.
From the light of these arguments, the order of dismissal against Aravind is deemed not
sustainable in law.
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III. Whether the order of conviction under section 223 of the Lemurian penal code
It is humbly submitted before the hon`ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the conviction of
Charles and other trade union leaders under Section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code is argued
to be unconstitutional and a violation of their rights. The lockdown order issued under the
on Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Lemurian Constitution by failing to protect vulnerable
i. The selective enforcement of the lockdown against union leaders suggests an intent
to suppress trade union activities rather than genuine public health enforcement.
Judicial precedents, like D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal, emphasize the need for
procedural safeguards during arrests, which were not observed in this case.
ii. Charles' participation in a meeting to discuss health and safety concerns for essential
workers was legitimate, especially given the factory's failure to implement proper
advocate for their rights. Furthermore, the meeting is justified under the Ministry
of Home Affairs Order No. 100, which exempted medical establishments from
From the light of these arguments that the conviction under Section 223 is seen as legally
unjustified, unconstitutional and violates the rights of Charles and the trade union leaders.
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IV. Whether the right to life and liberty of the citizens of India including their right to
health guaranteed under the constitution has been violated by the lockdown order
dated 24.03.2024?
It is humbly submitted before the hon`ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the lockdown
order issued on March 24, 2024, violates the citizens' constitutional rights to life, liberty, and
health. The order, which mandated a blanket shutdown without ensuring mandatory medical
affected vulnerable populations, including daily wage earners and self-employed individuals,
liberties without a clear public health strategy or provisions for access to essential
services like healthcare and food, rendering the measures unconstitutional. The
marginalized groups, leaving them without financial support or safety nets during this
critical time.
ii. The right to health, integral to the right to life as interpreted by the Supreme Court, was
compromised due to the lack of adequate justification for such an extreme measure.
The absence of a data-backed public health strategy further undermined the legality
of the lockdown.
From the light these arguments, the lockdown order is challenged as unconstitutional for
infringing upon the rights to life, liberty, and health of Lemuria's citizens.
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WRITTEN PLEADINGS
1. Whether the termination order passed against Bashir is liable to be set aside?
It is humbly submitted before the hon’ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the termination order
should be set aside. The petitioner, Bashir, challenges the termination order dated 25.04.2024
issued by Cauveri Health Products Limited, asserting that it is unjust, arbitrary, and violates
The termination of Bashir was executed without a fair inquiry. The Labour Court found
that the domestic inquiry was flawed due to the absence of key evidence and witnesses,
particularly Narmada, who failed to appear. This lack of due process violates principles
Unitary bias:
Bashir's role as General Secretary of the trade union raises concerns about potential
The termination of Bashir was an absolute breach of the section 5(f) of the fifth schedule
From the legal maxim Nemo judex in causa Sua3, (The Rule Against Bias),
3
https://www.iilsindia.com/blogs/analysis-priniciple-nemo-judex-causa-sua
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Application in Labour Law: The employer or the authority conducting an inquiry
Decisions should be free from favouritism or prejudice, ensuring that all relevant
legally.
The termination order was issued without conducting a fair and proper inquiry. The
Bashir, stating that the domestic inquiry could not be continued due to extraordinary
Bashir was denied an opportunity to defend himself and present his case.
In the case of 4Suresh Koshy George vs The University of Kerala (1969): The Supreme
Court of India held that any disciplinary action taken against an employee without
following the principles of natural justice such as not giving the employee a fair hearing
was invalid. The decision highlighted the importance of a fair hearing and the prohibition
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4
COLLEGE, TINDIVANAM.
1969 AIR 198
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Failure of due process:
In this case, an employee was terminated without due process. The Supreme Court of India
held that even probationary employees have certain rights to fair procedure and that
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to livelihood is a part of the right to life under
The court emphasized that an employee cannot be arbitrarily terminated, even during
probation, without following due process and providing a valid reason. Employers must
respect the principles of fairness, including the opportunity for the employee to respond
to allegations, if any.
Here the procedures to terminate the Bashir was not procedurally followed according to the
1.3. Not following 6Standing Orders for termination (under the Industrial Employment
Standing orders often lay down detailed procedures for terminating employees on the
grounds of inefficiency or poor performance. These are binding on employers and typically
issue formal warnings, either verbal or written, to give the employee a chance to
improve.
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COLLEGE, TINDIVANAM.
1993 SCR (3) 930
6
https://labour.gov.in/sites/default/files/industrialemploymentstandingorders1centralrules1946.pdf
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7
Performance improvement plan (PIP): Employers may offer employees a structured plan
to improve their performance over a specified period. This step shows that the employer
Domestic inquiry: If the poor performance is serious and amounts to misconduct under the
standing orders, the employer must conduct a domestic inquiry before taking disciplinary
Must follow the Principles of Natural Justice: Even though poor performance is not
traditionally categorized as misconduct; the employer must ensure that the principles of
natural justice are followed before terminating an employee. This includes, giving the
Providing a reasonable opportunity for the employee to explain their poor performance.
Documenting the entire process, including warnings, performance reviews, and any other
relevant interactions.
In the case of 8M. L. Singla v. Punjab National Bank & Others (2018): The Supreme
termination. The employer had dismissed an employee without holding a domestic inquiry,
9
Blue-collar workers:
The Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 states that an employer cannot fire an employee who
has worked for less than one year without providing notice, payment in lieu of notice,
and compensation. The amount of notice required depends on the number of employees
in the establishment. The Bashir was terminated neither notice nor compensation.
7
https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/pip-meaning
8
2018 LAB IC 4321
9
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/17112/1/the_industrial_disputes_act.pdf
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From the legal maxim 10Audi Alteram Partem (The Right to a Fair Hearing):
Definition: "Hear the other side" or the right to be heard. This principle ensures that an
employee facing disciplinary action, dismissal, or any negative consequence has the right
to know the charges against them and must be given an opportunity to present their case
before any decision is made. Here, the employer denied the fair hearing right of the Bashir.
The termination of the Bashir was illegal as mentioned in the above case.
Therefore, in the light of above arguments submitted the termination order passed against
10
https://sklaw.au/dictionary/audi-alteram-partem
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2. Whether the order of dismissal passed against Aravind is sustainable in law?
It is humbly submitted before the hon’ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the order of dismissal
passed against Aravind is not sustainable in law. Aravind contends that taking free samples of
hand sanitizers and face masks was a common practice within the establishment, and he
believed he was entitled to these items based on past practices, creating a reasonable
The petitioner Aravind contended that it was a common practice within the establishment
to distribute free samples of products, including hand sanitizers and face masks, to
employees on or before the 15th of each month. The petitioner argued that at the time he
took the samples, the employer had not yet fulfilled this obligation, which created a
reasonable expectation among employees that they were entitled to receive these items.
The court ruled that for an act to be considered theft, there must be a clear intention to
commit the act of stealing, which involves taking property belonging to another with the
Aravind asserted that he believed he was entitled to take the samples based on past practices
and that there was no intent to steal since these were free samples.
11
From the legal maxim Actus non-facit reum nisi mens sit rea:
Definition: Act itself does not constitute guilt unless done with a guilt
intent.
Here, Aravind does not constitute any guilt action. In the case of 12K. S. Radhakrishnan
v. State of Kerala (2006), the Supreme Court of India held that mere appropriation of
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COLLEGE, TINDIVANAM.
https://blog.ipleaders.in/actus-non-facit-reum-nisis-mens-sit-rea/
12
1964 AIR 477
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property does not amount to theft unless there is an intention to permanently deprive the
owner of it. Aravind argues that he did not intend to permanently deprive the employer of
the hand sanitizer and masks, as he returned them when confronted by Narmada. This aligns
The employer recalled charges against Bashir but proceeded with those against Aravind,
indicating discriminatory treatment. This selective approach suggests that the disciplinary
action was motivated by Aravind's position as President of the Workers Union, rather
In the case of13 Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. Ashok Kumar Arora (2009):
In this case, the Supreme Court held that any disciplinary action taken against an employee
must not only be based on valid grounds but also must not be discriminatory in nature. The
Aravind can argue that his dismissal was a result of discriminatory treatment as he faced
This case established that disciplinary actions taken against an employee must be free from
bias, especially when the employee is involved in union activities. The court ruled that any
punitive action taken against a union leader for engaging in legitimate union activities could
be seen as discriminatory.
Aravind's position as President of the Workers Union places him under protection from
13
1997 AIR (SC) 1030
14
AIR1954BOM358
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2.3. Violation of Natural Justice:
Aravind's dismissal violated the principles of natural justice. The Labour Court found
that he was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself during the disciplinary
proceedings. The employer failed to provide a proper hearing, which is essential in any
The Labour Court determined that Aravind's dismissal violated principles of natural justice
due to the lack of a fair hearing and opportunity to defend himself. Without a completed
inquiry and proven allegations, any disciplinary action taken against him is inherently
unjust.
In the dismissal of Aravind, there are many lapses of procedures and unitary bias.
The doctrine of just cause requires that an employer must have a legitimate reason
supported by evidence before terminating an employee. If the Labour Court found that
the employer did not have just cause, the termination could be deemed unjustified.
providing a proper enquiry before termination. If the Labour Court found procedural
lapses, this doctrine supports the Court’s decision to set aside the termination.
The witness Narmada quit her job and didn't appear for the enquiry. The employer arranged
for an urgent meeting of all executives and supervisory employees to review the
situation. Based on the views expressed by them, the employer concluded that the
domestic enquiry could not be continued in the normal manner, particularly in view of
the special problems caused by the Corona virus. But he didn't not take in consideration of
equal right of hearing for Aravind. The employer also sent notice dated 25.04.2024 to
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misconduct framed against him for theft of property of the establishment and (2) For the
District Magistrate dated 24.03.2024 for which he was convicted by the Court under
Section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code. The crime of theft hasn't been investigated with
In this case, the employer failed to follow the mandated disciplinary procedures, such as
providing Aravind with a fair opportunity to defend himself and not adhering to the
The charges framed against Aravind for theft were based on an incident involving free
samples (hand sanitizers and masks) that were not for sale. Aravind argues that since
these items were typically distributed to employees and were not for sales, there was no
financial loss to the employer. This lack of tangible evidence undermines the employer's
claims of misconduct.
The employer's failure to present evidence during the inquiry is a critical point. The Labour
Court noted that although the employer expressed willingness to prove the charges through
oral and documentary evidence, permission was denied. This lack of opportunity for the
employer to substantiate its claims further indicates that the allegations against Aravind
The conviction under Section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code for unlawful assembly does
not relate directly to any misconduct that would typically justify termination. The assembly
was conducted in the context of trade union activities, which are protected under labour
laws. Therefore, the nature of the conviction should be considered when determining its
relevance to employment.
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Dismissal from employment is a severe penalty and should only be imposed when the
misconduct is grave enough to undermine the trust and confidence between employer and
employee. In cases where the offense does not significantly impact job performance or
workplace integrity, lesser disciplinary actions may be more appropriate. The Labour Court
found that Aravind's actions were related to his role as a trade union leader, suggesting that
15
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. v. State of U.P. (2003): In this case The Supreme Court
ruled that disciplinary action must be proportionate to the misconduct and that mere
conviction for a criminal offense does not automatically justify dismissal if it does not
pertain directly to job performance. Aravind’s conviction under Section 223 was related to
participating in an assembly for trade union activities, which should not warrant
dismissal unless it directly impacts his ability to perform his job. The Labour Court found
The Supreme Court held that dismissals based on union activities should be scrutinized
Workers Union, suggesting that he was targeted for his union activities rather than any
legitimate misconduct.
In the light of the arguments submitted the order of dismissal passed against Aravind was
15
(2003) 6 SCC 528
16 1981 AIR
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3. Whether the order of conviction under section 223 of the Lemurian penal code is
unconstitutional, being violative of the right of Charles and office bearers of the trade
union?
It is humbly submitted before the Supreme Court of Lemuria that the order of conviction under
section 223 of the Lemurian penal code is unconstitutional, being violative of the right of
Charles and office bearers of the trade union. The lockdown order issued under the Disaster
14, 19, and 21 of the Lemurian Constitution by failing to protect vulnerable populations,
including workers.
3.1. The Unconstitutionality of the Order Restricting Freedom of Movement and Assembly
The lockdown order dated 24.03.2024 issued under the Disaster (Remedial Measures)
Act was an excessive exercise of executive power, violating Articles 14, 19, and 21 of
the Lemurian Constitution. The curfew was imposed without proper safeguards to ensure
that the lockdown did not disproportionately affect vulnerable sections of society,
including workers, daily wage earners, and trade union members. By failing to account
for the economic hardship and right to livelihood of citizens, the order violated the basic
In 17Kameshwar Prasad v. State of Bihar (1962), the Supreme Court of India held that a
blanket ban on peaceful assembly in the workplace, without exceptions for legitimate
gatherings like union meetings, violated the right to assembly and was arbitrary.
17
1962 AIR
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In the case of 18Indian Medical Association v. Union of India 2021,
In this case The Indian Medical Association filed a petition regarding the protection of
healthcare workers during the pandemic. The Supreme Court recognized the challenges
faced by healthcare workers and emphasized the need for the government to provide
This case reflects the collective voice of the medical community advocating for their rights
and the necessity of safeguarding those who serve on the front lines of public health
crises. Furthermore, the Epidemic Diseases (Prevention & Cure) Act, which grants the
yet the government issued a blanket order of lockdown for 21 days. The arbitrary extension
citizens, renders the lockdown order excessive and violative of constitutional protections.
The arrest of Charles and other trade union leaders may be seen as selective enforcement
aimed at suppressing trade union activity rather than genuinely enforcing the lockdown
measures. Charles’ position as a union leader raises the possibility that the authorities were
using the pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on the union. This amounts to arbitrary and
The Court in the case of 19D. K Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997) also emphasized
the importance of procedural safeguards during arrests, ensuring that arrests are not
arbitrary, that the police follow due process, and that there is no misuse of authority. In
the present case, none of the procedures was followed which was given in the above case.
18
WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 645/2022.
19
1997 (1) SCC 416
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In the Case of20Baldev Singh Gandhi v. State of Punjab (2002), the Supreme Court of
India held that the right to form and manage trade unions is protected under the Constitution
and arbitrary state interference in such activities, even in emergencies, must be justified.
The arrest of Charles without genuine grounds for posing a public health risk violates these
protections.
Arresting Charles and other union leaders can be viewed as a form of victimization for their
union activities, which are protected under constitutional provisions regarding freedom of
association. The authorities appear to have selectively enforced the law to target trade union
3.3. Urgent Need of meeting to Address Essential Workers' Grievances Amidst the
Lockdown:
The order of conviction under section 223 of the Lemurian Penal Code is unconstitutional,
being violative of the right of Charles and other office - bearers of the trade union because
Charles addressed the gathering about the need for submitting fresh charter of demands
to the employer and for entering a fresh settlement in the place of settlement dated 01.02
2021. Settlements are important for trade unions because they can make collective
A key agenda of the meeting was to address concerns about health and safety measures for
workers during the pandemic. The factory had not implemented proper COVID-24 safety
protocols, leaving workers vulnerable to infection. The trade union members, including
20
2002 AIR SCW 878
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guidelines for workplace safety, such as ensuring social distancing, providing
By participating in the meeting, Charles was advocating for the health and safety of his
fellow workers, a cause that was both legitimate and in line with public health objectives.
This underscores the importance of the meeting as a proactive and responsible measure
This classification meant they were allowed to continue working even when many other
sectors were closed, acknowledging their critical role in maintaining public health.
The Essential Services Manufacturing Act recognizes the rights of workers to organize and
engage in collective bargaining. The meeting on April 10, 2024, was a legitimate
exercise of these rights, aimed at discussing important labour issues and submitting a
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Lemuria issued 21Order No. 100 on 24.03.2024
under the provisions of the Disaster (remedial measures) Act directing the Central
Government and State Governments as well as their Authorities to take necessary steps.
21
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/MHA%20order%20dt%2015.04.2020%2C%20with%20Revised%2
0Consolidated%20Guidelines_compressed%20%283%29.pdf
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(3) Hospitals and all related medical establishments including their manufacturing &
distribution units both in public and private sector will continue to remain functional.
The establishment is exempt from closure under MHA Order (3), the workers' meeting
guidelines were intended to curtail gatherings that pose a risk to public health or disrupt
essential services, not to prevent discussions that help maintain essential services.
The meeting held by Charles and his fellow workers is an exception to the MHA Order No.
engaged in the production of essential medical products. The peaceful assembly aimed at
discussing employment conditions for essential workers is aligned with the need to
maintain the uninterrupted flow of services critical to public health. Therefore, the
In the light of the arguments submitted the order of conviction under section 223 of the
Lemurian penal code is unconstitutional, being violative of the right of Charles and office
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4. Whether the right to life and liberty of the citizens of India including their right to
health guaranteed under the constitution has been violated by the lockdown order
dated 24.03.2024.
It is humbly submitted before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Lemuria that the right to life and
liberty of the citizens of Lemuria including their right to health guaranteed under the
constitution has been violated by the lockdown order dated 24.03.2024. The order, which
Lemuria passed the order on 24.03.2024 to directing the citizens to shut down their
operations and remain at home observing social distance without arranging for compulsory
medical examination for the citizens to find out whether they rest positive or negative for
The order of the government also jeopardized the right to life and liberty of the vulnerable
sections of Lemuria like unorganised labour, daily wage earner, self-employed persons,
agricultural farmers, petty shop owners etc., who have been deprived of their sources of
income. It was also contended that the right to health of all citizens of Lemuria as
The blanket lockdown order restricted citizens' right to movement and personal liberty.
While the government justified these restrictions as necessary for public safety, the lack of
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a clear public health strategy and the indefinite nature of the lockdown imposed
restriction of movement without provisions for those needing access to healthcare, food,
The 21-day lockdown, which was later extended, failed to balance public health measures
with individual liberties. The Society for Noble Principles of Law & Literature rightly
argued that the lockdown infringed upon the citizens’ right to life and liberty, as it restricted
their movement and jeopardized the livelihoods of millions without adequate relief.
As seen in the proposition, the lockdown caused significant economic hardships for
vulnerable groups like daily wage earners, unorganized labourers, farmers, and petty
shop owners. The shutdown deprived them of their livelihood, forcing them into
economic insecurity and even starvation. The lockdown measures failed to account for
the economic well-being of these groups, leading to a violation of the right to livelihood.
The government order dated 24.03.2024 did not provide adequate financial assistance or
a support system for workers in the informal economy who were disproportionately affected
by the lockdown. The closure of private and public sector undertakings, without any
economic relief measures, worsened the crisis for the weaker sections of society.
The proposition highlights that while the lockdown order shut down businesses and forced
citizens to stay at home, the lack of provisions for essential services and financial
compensation to affected workers was arbitrary. The Society for Noble Principles of Law
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& Literature in its writ petition argued that this failure amounted to an arbitrary exercise of
The lockdown and Janata curfew without the pre safety measures leads to the Economic
The right to health is an essential component of the broader right to life and personal liberty,
as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The right to health is not explicitly
mentioned in the Constitution but has been interpreted by courts as integral to the right to
22
life. The Supreme Court of India, in cases such as Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity
right. This interpretation extends to situations where government actions, like lockdowns,
The petitioner argues that there was insufficient justification for such an extreme measure
In 23People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, it was emphasized that state
actions must be backed by data and scientific reasoning, which were lacking in this case.
Therefore, in the light of the above arguments that the right to life and liberty of the citizens
of Lemuria including their right to health guaranteed under the constitution has been
22
(1996) AIR SC 2426
23
AIR 1997 SC 568
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arbitrary, and in violation of the principles of natural justice, thereby restoring him
2. To rule that the dismissal order against Aravind is unsustainable in law due to a
lack of due process, insufficient evidence, and discrimination, reinstating him with
3. To declare the conviction of Charles and other office-bearers of the trade union under
AND/OR
ALSO PASS ANY OTHER ORDER THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT DEEMS
CONSCIENCE.
For this act of kindness, the PETITIONER(S) shall be duty bound forever to pray.
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