RESERVED ON: 4 FEBRUARY 2026
PRONOUNCED ON : 9 MARCH 2026
Judgment (Per G. S. Kulkarni, J.)
1. The petitioners, who were appointed as Apprentices by respondent no. 1-
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) have filed this petition under
Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a direction against HPCL to
consider the petitioners for absorption on regular posts as Grade “A” officers. The
petitioners also seek a direction that HPCL be directed to frame the policy of
absorption/recruitment of Graduate Apprentices as per Section 22(1) of the
Apprentices Act, 1961 (for short “Apprentices Act”), by setting aside their
automatic termination of the contract appointment, as apprentices.