Summary
The Supreme Court set aside the direction requiring SAIL to consider long-term leases of Rourkela quarters for voluntary retirees under its 2002 scheme. That time-limited scheme covered serving employees and vested no right in these ex-employees. Subsequent expansion and accommodation requirements also bore on relief. The 53 occupants or their legal heirs were nevertheless allowed thirty-three months from the judgment to remain, after which vacant possession had to be delivered.
Issues
- Whether former employees could compel consideration for long-term housing leases under the expired scheme.
- Whether subsequent developments justified moulding relief.
Held
- The 2002 scheme lasted three months, was not extended and covered regular serving employees rather than the respondent ex-employees. It conferred no vested right on them to consideration for long-term leases. The underlying land lease also confined use to the steel plant and ancillary purposes absent State sanction. (¶¶ 12, 13, 14)
- The plant’s expansion and ensuing accommodation requirements, as placed in the additional affidavit, were material subsequent developments. With no underlying legal entitlement and the scheme no longer considered feasible, SAIL could not be compelled to grant the long-term leases sought. (¶¶ 7, 13, 14)
- While setting aside the High Court order, the Court protected the 53 respondents or their legal heirs in occupation for thirty-three months from the judgment, requiring vacant and peaceful possession to be handed over at expiry. This was temporary occupation relief, not a thirty-three-year lease. (¶¶ 15, 16, 18)
Result
SAIL’s appeal allowed and High Court order set aside, subject to thirty-three months’ continued occupation from the judgment for the 53 respondents or their legal heirs and surrender thereafter. Connected appeal disposed of on the same terms.