J&K High Court Dismisses Casual Labour Petition

Authority: High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar

Order Date: 30.09.2026

Case Overview

• Parties: Petitioners Mushtaq Ahmad Wagay & Ors., represented by Ms. Asiya Nazir, versus Respondents UT of J&K & Ors., represented by Mr. Ilyas Laway.
• Nature: Petition for re‑engagement as casual labourers after discontinuation in 2002, based on earlier writ petitions (SWP No.601/2009, SWP No.1709/2015) and contempt petitions.
• Background: Court previously directed consideration of claim when work available (orders dated 08.04.2010 and 11.08.2015). Government orders (e.g., Govt. order No.43‑F of 2015) imposed a complete ban on engaging casual/seasonal labourers in all government departments and state‑owned PSUs.
• 2022 order by respondent No.4 mistakenly stated that petitioners have merit for re‑engagement; Court identified this as a clerical error.

Final Outcome

• The High Court held the writ petition lacks merit, affirmed the ban on casual labour engagements, and dismissed the petition.

Topics: Labour Policy, Judicial Decision