Mumbai fireman reinstated after 19-year legal battle

MUMBAI: In 2000, barely three months into service as a fire man, his career collapsed after suicide by his wife led to his dismissal. He was acquitted, but the civic administration challenged a labour court order of reinstatement all the way to the apex court. Now, almost two decades later, he is back in service, following orders of the Supreme Court to the BMC. He resumed service on April 6 at Dharavi fire station.
Sunil Yadav fought a legal battle for his career. Advocate Prakash Devdas helped the fireman in his fight for justice since 2000. Yadav had just served for three months when his wife committed suicide at her village. He was dismissed from services without any probe. But subsequently a criminal court acquitted him.

A labour court directed the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation to reinstate him. The BMC went in appeal and lost in the industrial court.

The matter was taken to the Bombay high court too by the BMC which upheld the labour court's order, said Devdas. The labour court was right in ordering reinstatement with full back wages and continuity of service, the HC had held. The BMC challenged the high court decision in Supreme Court. But again the BMC lost. SC dismissed the corporation's appeal and the verdict of labour court was restored.

The corporation, however, did not implement the orders and therefore, a contempt petition against civic chief Ajoy Mehta was filed, said Devdas. After receipt of show-cause notice the Municipal Commissioner directed that he be reinstated immediately and paid full back wages for 19 years.

"The entire proceedings in the labour court, industrial court, high court and the Supreme Court took 19 years. This is a historical case, Yadav will get all benefits of about Rs 40 lakh to 50 Lakh in cash and thereafter he will be entitled to pension and other retirement benefits such gratuity, leave encashment, bonus etc," said Devdas.