CARBORANDUM UNIVERSAL LTD. Vs. ESI CORPORATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) This civil appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order dtd. 12/10/2023 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras (briefly 'the High Court' hereinafter) in C.M.A. No. 1284 of 2017 (M/s. Carborandum Universal Limited Vs. ESI Corporation).

(3.) Be it stated that appellant had filed the related appeal before the High Court assailing the legality and validity of the order dtd. 6/7/2015 passed by the Employees Insurance Court (Principal Labour Court), Chennai in E.I.O.P. No. 262 of 2001. By the aforesaid order dtd. 6/7/2015, the Employees Insurance Court upheld the order dtd. 17/4/2000 passed by the Regional Office (Tamil Nadu), Employees State Insurance Corporation holding that a sum of Rs.5,42,575.53 is statutorily due as arrears of contribution and payable by the employer i.e. the appellant for the period from 1/8/1988 to 31/3/1992. Appellant was directed to pay the aforesaid amount with interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum upto 31/8/1994 and at the rate of 15 percent per annum from 1/9/1994. The aforesaid order dtd. 17/4/2000 was passed under Sec. 45A of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 (briefly 'the Act' hereinafter).