Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Indore High Court Dismisses Gangman's Plea
A retired gangman named Panna tried to change his recorded date of birth to continue working until the official retirement age.
He claimed his actual date of birth was different from what was recorded in his service book.
The labour court initially allowed him to continue working, but the High Court later dismissed his plea.
The High Court said that employees cannot change their date of birth records at the end of their careers.
Panna had worked for nearly 38 years, and the High Court noted that he had accepted the recorded date of birth throughout his service.
Panna, a retired gangman, sought to change his recorded date of birth from October 1, 1954, to June 3, 1959.
The labour court initially stayed his retirement and directed continuation in service with back wages.
The High Court dismissed his plea, stating that such claims cannot be entertained at the end of an employee's career.
The High Court observed that Panna had signed service documents reflecting his recorded date of birth throughout his nearly 38-year service.
The High Court also ruled that the State cannot deny salary to an employee who was kept out of service because of an illegal retirement order.
- Who
- Panna, a retired gangman, and the Indore Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court
- What
- The High Court dismissed Panna's plea to change his recorded date of birth before retirement
- When
- The plea was dismissed after Panna's scheduled retirement in 2016
- Where
- Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Why
- The High Court ruled that such claims cannot be entertained at the fag end of an employee's career
Employee's Claim
High Court's Decision
Date of Birth Change
Employee's Claim
The employee, Panna, claimed his actual date of birth was June 3, 1959, and sought continuation in service till attaining the age of superannuation.
High Court's Decision
The High Court dismissed the plea, stating that such claims cannot be entertained at the fag end of an employee's career.
Service Records
Employee's Claim
Panna argued that the service records were unreliable because the original service book had not been produced.
High Court's Decision
The High Court observed that the employee had signed service documents reflecting his recorded date of birth throughout his nearly 38-year service.
- Employee Name
- Panna
- Date of Birth Recorded
- October 1, 1954
- Date of Birth Claimed
- June 3, 1959
- Appointment Date
- March 1, 1978
- Scheduled Retirement Year
- 2016
- High Court Bench
- Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai
- Labour Court Decision
- Stayed retirement in 2016 and directed continuation in service with back wages in 2018
- Single Judge's Decision
- Quashed the labour court award, holding that the employee could not seek alteration of his date of birth at the end of his service career