Supreme Court: Only 4 of 9 judges back new 'industry' test in Uttar Pradesh case
The case concerns a batch of appeals regarding whether the Social Forestry Department of the State of Uttar Pradesh falls within the definition of 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Supreme Court was tasked with resolving this interpretive question, which had been referred to a Nine-Judge Bench due to conflicting prior judgments.
Appellant: State of Uttar Pradesh; Respondent: Jai Bir Singh (and others in consolidated appeals); Bench: Nine-Judge Bench led by CJI Surya Kant, including Satish Chandra Sharma J., Alok Aradhe J., and Vipul M. Pancholi J.
- The Court addressed the question of whether the Social Forestry Department constitutes an 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
- The Court noted that the provision in question is no longer in force due to the enactment of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, but the appeals were instituted prior to these changes.
- The Court stated it is incumbent upon it to finally adjudicate the issue to bring the matter to a reasoned and authoritative quietus, despite the intervening statutory transformation.
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Document details
| Official title | 'Industry' Definition : No Clear Majority Emerges From Supreme Court Judgment, Only 4 Out Of 9 Judges Back New Test |
| Source body | Supreme Court of India — orders & judgments |
| Reference number | STATE OF U.P. Vs JAI BIR SINGH | C.A. No. 897/2002 |
| Status | closed (order) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Closing date | — |
| Documents | 1 |