Karnataka High Court
Rameshwar Mahto vs The Central Silk Board on 23 March, 2026
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NC: 2026:KHC:16244
WP No. 6006 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF MARCH, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE
WRIT PETITION NO. 6006 OF 2026 (L-RES)
BETWEEN:
RAMESHWAR MAHTO
S/O LAGNU MAHTO,
AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS,
WORKING AS SKILLED
FARM WORKER, CENTRAL TASAR
RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE,
PISKA NAGRI VILLAGE AND POST,
RANCHI DISTRICT, JHARKHAND-835 303
AND R/AT SIMLIYA VILLAGE, RATU POST,
RANCHI DISTRICT, JHARKHAND-835 222
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. NARAYANA BHAT MOVVAR., ADVOCATE)
AND:
Digitally signed
by PRAMILA G
V 1. THE CENTRAL SILK BOARD
Location: HIGH
COURT OF REP. BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY,
KARNATAKA CSB COMPLEX, BTM LAYOUT,
MADIWALA, BENGALURU-560 068
2. THE DIRECTOR
CENTRAL TASAR RESEARCH
AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
PISKA NAGRI, RANCHI,
JHARKHAND-835 303
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NC: 2026:KHC:16244
WP No. 6006 of 2026
HC-KAR
3. THE SCIENTIST- D
CENTRAL SILK BOARD,
CENTRAL TASAR RESEARCH
AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
PISKA NAGRI, RANCHI,
JHARKHAND-835 303
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI.N.S.NARASIMHA SWAMY, ADVOCATE)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TOA) QUASH THE
CLAUSE A-11 OF THE MEMORANDUM BEARING NO. KE RE
BO/KSHE RE UU AA KE /RANCHI/STHA/KAA.PRA.,KAA/15-
16/101 DATED 23/04/2016 ISSUED BY THE R3 MAKRED AT
ANNEXURE-A IN SO FAR AS AGE OF RETIREMENT IS ON
ATTAINING AGE OF 58 YEARS AS THE SAME IS OPPOSED TO
THE AWARD DATED 01/04/2013 IN C.R. NO. 151/2007 PASSED
BY THE CGIT MARKED AT ANNEXURE-B AND ALSO SEC. 18 (3)
(d) OF THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947 AND ARTICLE 14
AND 21 OF THE CONSTITUTION.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING
IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS
UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE
ORAL ORDER
This petition is filed seeking writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation -3- NC: 2026:KHC:16244 WP No. 6006 of 2026 HC-KAR dated 10.02.2026 to continue in service under the respondents till the petitioner completes the age of 60 years, which according to the petitioner is the age of superannuation.
2. The petitioner has filed the petition in the light of the judgment rendered by the Division Bench of this Court in Central Silk Board vs Employees Union of Central Silk Board & Another1 wherein, in terms of the order dated 04.09.2024, this Court has dismissed the petition filed by first respondent Central Silk Board and confirmed the award passed by the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court.
3. In terms of the award dated 01.04.2013, the Tribunal has held that age of superannuation of the Timescale Farm Workers of the respondent establishment would be 60 years and not 55 years as contended by the respondent.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the order passed by the Division Bench of this Court 1 W.P. No.18693/2014 -4- NC: 2026:KHC:16244 WP No. 6006 of 2026 HC-KAR confirming the award passed by the Tribunal is not questioned by the respondents and it has attained finality.
5. Thus, the learned counsel would submit that the petitioner cannot be superannuated at the age of 58, and the petitioner is entitled to continue as the employee of respondent No.1 till the petitioner completes 60 years.
6. Learned counsel for respondents would submit that though the Board of first respondent has passed a resolution to implement the order, with effect from the date of the order passed in Central Silk Board supra, the Board is yet to receive the approval from the Union of India for the decision taken by the Board. It is further submitted that since respondents are awaiting the decision of Union of India, from the perspective of the respondents the award passed by the Central Government Industrial Tribunal has not yet attained finality.
7. This Court has considered the contentions raised at the bar and perused the records.
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NC: 2026:KHC:16244 WP No. 6006 of 2026 HC-KAR
8. It is not in dispute that the award passed by the Tribunal enhancing the age of retirement to 60 years from 55 years is confirmed by the Division Bench in the case of Central Silk Board supra. It is further not in dispute that the petitioner is working as Timescale Farm Workers with respondent No.1. The petitioner has completed 58 years after the order passed by the Division Bench of this Court confirming the award passed by the Tribunal.
9. This being the position, the award passed by the Tribunal which is confirmed by the Division Bench of this Court comes to the aid of the petitioner and the petitioner is entitled to the following relief:-
(i) It is declared that the petitioner's age of superannuation is 60 years.
(ii) The respondents shall not superannuate the petitioner treating the age of superannuation as 58 years.
(iii) Thus, the petitioner is entitled to continue in employment as Timescale Farm Workers under first respondent till the age of superannuation at 60 subject to all the Rules and -6- NC: 2026:KHC:16244 WP No. 6006 of 2026 HC-KAR Regulations applicable to the employment of the petitioner.
10. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of with the above observations and findings.
Sd/-
(ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE brn List No.: 1 Sl No.: 56