The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has been mandated to pay Rs 12 lakh in compensation to a woman who was refused a job as a refilling helper, also known as a casual Khalasi, at an LPG filling plant. This decision highlights ongoing issues of gender discrimination in employment practices.
A bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi expressed strong displeasure, saying denying a woman a job solely because she is a woman is an insult to her honor and dignity.
The court noted that women lift and replace LPG cylinders in their homes every day. In such a situation, it is not appropriate to say that women cannot do the work of lifting cylinders. The bench noted that the petitioner has now reached retirement age, but she continued to fight for her rights for so many years, so instead of granting her an appointment, the court deemed it appropriate to award her a lumpsum compensation. The trial court directed her to be accommodated in the position of Casual Employee/Administrative Post/Peon. But the first appellate court overturned this decision, saying the woman’s name was only a recommendation and she had not been finally selected. The matter then reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. But the top court upheld the woman’s right to a job.
Because she was a woman, the trial court found the woman had the required qualifications, and the testimony of a defence witness revealed that she was not appointed. On October 14, 2025, the High Court also upheld the first appellate court’s decision, stating that the woman had no legal or inherent right to the appointment. Considering her retirement age and the long-running legal battle, a compensation of Rs 12 lakh has been ordered.
