SC upholds NCLAT order on payment of dues to ex-employees of Jet Airways

In a setback to the Jalan-Fritsch consortium, the new owners of the cash-strapped Jet Airways, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld an NCLAT order directing the payment of the provident fund and gratuity dues of the airline’s former employees.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said, “Anyone stepping in would know that there are overriding labour dues. Unpaid labour dues always take precedence. Somewhere, there has to be finality. Sorry, we will not interfere.”

The top court refused to entertain a plea moved by the consortium and upheld the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) order.