Home / Crime and Justice / Madras HC Rules Temple is Employer, Grants Employee Benefits
Madras HC Rules Temple is Employer, Grants Employee Benefits
26 Sep
Summary
- Temple declared an 'establishment' entitled to pay employee compensation.
- Family of deceased security guard awarded compensation by labour court.
- Madras High Court confirmed labor commissioner's decision in favor of family.
The Madras High Court has affirmed that temples qualify as 'establishments' under the law, thereby obligating them to provide compensation to the families of employees who die in the line of duty. This landmark ruling came as the court dismissed an appeal filed by the Arulmigu Theertha Paleswarar Thirukoil in Triplicane.
The case involved the family of Babu, a security guard employed at the temple premises. Babu tragically lost his life on July 17, 2021, after confronting individuals attempting to commit theft within the temple grounds. He sustained fatal injuries during the altercation.
Following Babu's death, his wife approached the labor department seeking compensation. The joint commissioner of labor initially ruled in favor of the family. The temple administration then challenged this decision, taking the matter to the high court.
Justice K. Surender of the Madras High Court upheld the labor commissioner's order dated July 28, 2022. The court stated that while the specifics of engagement and payment through a private security firm might affect the final compensation amount, it does not invalidate the claim itself. The court directed the labor commissioner to expedite the determination of the compensation claim, preferably within six weeks from 2022.
