G. Kothandan vs. Agarapatane Plantations Limited – SC APPEAL 164/2011-2018

In the case between G. Kothandan (Bethany) and Agarapatane Plantations Limited, the court addressed the interpretation of employment terms regarding retirement, specifically whether compensation for extension of service beyond the retirement age of 55 should be limited to one year’s salary or extended to five years’ salary. The court held that compensation must be confined to one year’s salary, reaffirming the principle that employment conditions expressly governed by contractual documents—particularly document A-3—are controlling. This decision relied on the analysis of documentary evidence and emphasized that neither the policy documents nor the facts supported an extension of compensation beyond one year, thereby affirming the Labour Tribunal’s award and setting aside the decision of th