IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.12676 OF 2024 Pandurang Punja Avhad Age 70 years, Residing at – Devendra Niwas, S-10/3, Sr. No.94/95, Indranagari, Opp. Rahul Residency, Kothrud, Pune – 411 038. ....Petitioner V/S Director, The Automotive Research Association of India, Sr.No.102, Vetal Tekdi, Aside of Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune – 411 038. ....Respondent _________

Mr. Nitin A. Kulkarni for the Petitioner.

Mr. Avinash Jalisatgi with Mr. Varun Joshi, Mr. Chetan Alai and Ms. Divya Wadekar for Respondent.

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CORAM : SANDEEP V. MARNE, J. RESERVED ON : 27 FEBRUARY 2025. PRONOUNCED ON : 10 MARCH 2025.

J U D G M E N T :

1) The pivotal issue that arises for consideration in the present Petition is whether the Appropriate Government in respect of the Respondent-Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is Central or State Government. If it is held that the Appropriate Government for Respondent-ARAI is the State Government, the next issue for consideration is whether Petitioner fits into the definition of a term ‘workman’ within the meaning of Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (ID Act). If the Petitioner is able to