Reviewed case brief

Management of Safdarjung Hospital v Kuldip Singh Sethi

AIR 1970 SC 1407

AIR 1970 SC 1407 · Supreme Court of India

definition-of-industrysection-2jcharitable-institutionhospital
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1970
Subjects
Labour Law
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

An establishment carrying on activities of a philanthropic, charitable, or purely medical/educational nature, without a profit-making or commercial motive, does not constitute an 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, since the systematic activity must be analogous to trade or business to qualify.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        AIR 1970 SC 1407; foundational authority narrowing the definition of industry, later reconsidered in Bangalore Water Supply v Rajappa (1978), cross-verify citation before exam use

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.