Calcutta High Court quashes WB decision to regulate private industry employments

The Calcutta High Court quashed the West Bengal government’s decision to regulate private sector employment through a law mandating consent from authorities before termination. The court declared the law unconstitutional, stating it infringes on the fundamental rights of employers and employees, particularly the right to contract freely. It observed that such interference hampers the growth of private industries and discourages investments. The judgment arose from a case challenging the state’s authority to frame restrictive labor laws for the private sector. The court emphasized that labor regulations must align with constitutional provisions and the central government’s guidelines. This decision highlights the judiciary’s role in protecting economic freedoms, encouraging private sector growth, and ensuring that state legislation does not overreach constitutional boundaries.