Distraint proceedings initiated against Madurai Aavin for non-compliance with labour court order

Tensions flared up at Madurai Aavin plant on Wednesday as court officials seized computers and an air-conditioner after the management failed to implement a 30-year-old court order to pay ₹1 crore in salary arrears to 19 workers.

The dispute dates back to 1985, involving 23 casual laborers working at Madurai Aavin dairy. Represented by the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Staff Federation — CITU, the workers petitioned the Inspector of Factories, and subsequently obtained a permanent employment order in 1996.

The Aavin management challenged the order in the Madras High Court, but the court dismissed the writ petition, and ordered that the workers be paid salaries on a par with permanent employees from the date of their regularisation.

A subsequent appeal by Aavin in the Supreme Court was also dismissed. While one worker, Venkatachalam, received the benefits per the High Court’s ruling, three others passed away during the prolonged struggle. This left 19 workers entitled to their arrears.

On November 12, 2025, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court dismissed another appeal by the Aavin management against the Labour Court order. Growing tired of the 30-year non-compliance with the court order, the workers filed for distraint proceedings.

After a Labour Court issued the distraint order on February 7, a team comprising two court bailiffs, advocate M. Subramanian, CITU functionary Deivaraj, and the 19 workers, arrived at Madurai Aavin to attach assets.

As police questioned the court order, the court bailiff clarified that the police presence was required only for security, and not for legal interpretation.

As Aavin General Manager Sivakami requested one-hour grace period to find a solution, the procedure was temporarily kept on hold. When no resolution was reached by 4 p.m., the court officials proceeded to seize 30 computers.

During the proceedings, Aavin officials and Dairy Cooperative Society president Rajendran urged the workers to halt the seizure, citing the Chief Minister’s scheduled visit to Madurai on February 21. They requested the team of enforcers to defer the matter until Monday.

However, the workers’ counsel, advocate Subramanian, refused, stating: “We have been fighting for 30 years. It is the officials who are acting in a way that brings disrepute to the government. If they want to stop the seizure, tell them to issue cheques as per the court’s order.”

Finally, the court officials attached the assets.