Madras high court
CHENNAI: Temple is an “establishment” and hence its employees who die while on duty are entitled to compensation as workmen, ruled Madras high court, confirming the decision of the joint commissioner of labour.
Since the claim proceedings relate to 2021, the labour commissioner shall expedite the proceedings and conclude the determination of the claim on merits and in accordance with law, preferably within six weeks, the court added.
In such circumstances, this court finds no ground to interfere with the order passed by the labour commissioner,” the court said. The Arulmigu Theertha Paleswarar Thirukoil in Triplicane engaged a private security firm to secure its premises. After security guard Babu died while on duty, his family approached the labour department for compensation. The joint commissioner of labour upheld their request, and the temple administration moved the high court against it. “The fact that the deceased was engaged and paid by a private security firm may be relevant for determining the ultimate liability and the quantum of compensation. However, the same would not, at this stage, render the claim proceedings non-maintainable.