Chennai: Temple is an ‘establishment’ and hence the families of its employees who die while on duty are entitled to compensation as workmen, ruled Madras high court, confirming a decision of the joint commissioner of labour.Arulmigu Theertha Paleswarar Thirukoil in Triplicane engaged a private security firm to secure its premises. After he died while on duty, his family approached the labour department for compensation. After the joint commissioner of labour upheld their request, the temple administration moved the high court against it.Justice K Surender passed the order while dismissing an appeal by the temple management against the order passed by the labour commissioner dated July 28, 2022.“The fact that the deceased was engaged and paid by a private security firm may be relevant for determining the ultimate liability and the quantum of compensation. However, the same would not, at this stage, render the claim proceedings non-maintainable. In such circumstances, this court finds no ground to interfere with the order passed by the labour commissioner,” the court said.Since the claim proceedings relate to 2021, the labour commissioner shall expedite the proceedings and conclude the determination of the claim on merits and in accordance with law, preferably within six weeks, the court added.According to B Sridevi, wife of the deceased security guard, her husband Babu, was working as a security guard in the premises of the temple. On July 17, 2021, when he was guarding the temple premises during the night, certain miscreants entered the temple premises with an intention to commit theft.When Babu attempted to prevent the theft, he was attacked by the persons, sustained grievous injuries to his head, and succumbed to the injuries, she said.
