Shillong: The Supreme Court ordered Indian Oil Corporation Limited to pay 12 lakh rupees in compensation to a woman denied employment. Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi ruled the company discriminated against the applicant. The firm refused to hire her for a manual labor role at its Gudha bottling plant. It cited requirements for heavy lifting and night shifts.
The bench dismantled that logic. They noted that women handle gas cylinders at home every day. "An affront to womanhood," the court declared during the proceedings. The judges expressed frustration that a government undertaking would hide behind such stereotypes.
The battle started decades ago. A committee chaired by a Deputy Commissioner initially recommended 49 candidates for the position of casual khalasi or peon. While 43 candidates gained employment, this woman faced rejection. She sued, claiming gender bias. A trial court originally sided with her, ordering IOCL to hire her. The company fought back. It eventually won a reversal in the appellate court in 1993. The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld that dismissal on October 14, 2025. Justice Vikas Bahl had argued that recommendation lists carry no binding force.
The applicant is now too old for the job. Retirement age is here. Because she spent her life fighting for her rights, the Supreme Court opted for a cash payout. The court bypassed the hiring order but ensured she received justice for the bias she faced.
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