R.L.P. Nihal vs Board of Directors, Salacine Television Institute – SC APPEAL NO.182/2012-2015

In the case between R.L.P. Nihal (Applicant Respondent) and the Board of Directors of Salacine Television Institute and its executive officers (Respondent Petitioners/Appellants), the court addressed the lawfulness of the Respondent’s employment termination and the proper jurisdiction of the Labour Tribunal under the Industrial Disputes Act. It was held that the Tribunal and High Court had not sufficiently inquired into whether the employer–employee relationship fell within the Act, particularly in terms of control and the status of Salacine Television Institute following changes in management. The principle reaffirmed was that a thorough evidentiary inquiry—applying established control tests and determining who exercised real authority—must be conducted when public or semi-public entities