Allahabad High Court Upholds Minimum Wage Rights for Part-Time Sweepers in UP Police Stations

Court directs police authorities to ensure payment of minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, overriding executive orders.

In a significant ruling on November 15, 2025, the Allahabad High Court has mandated that part-time sweepers employed in police stations across Uttar Pradesh are entitled to receive minimum wages as prescribed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. This landmark decision overrides any existing government orders that fixed lower honorariums for these workers, highlighting the supremacy of statutory provisions over executive directives.

The case was brought before the court by two petitioners, Gobinddas and Kaushla, who have been serving as temporary sweepers at police stations in the Lalitpur district since July 2022. They were receiving an honorarium of merely Rs. 1200 per month, significantly lower than the minimum wages set under the Minimum Wages Act. They argued that their compensation was inadequate compared to what other casual workers under similar government schemes were receiving.

The court, led by Justice J.J. Munir, examined whether the petitioners were full-time or part-time employees. Despite conflicting claims about the duration of their work, the court emphasized that even part-time employees in scheduled employments are entitled to minimum wages. The judgment highlighted that sweeping and cleaning are recognized as scheduled employments under the Act, thereby entitling the petitioners to statutory wage protection.

The court issued a writ of mandamus directing the Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police, and Station House Officers to ensure the payment of minimum wages to the petitioners, along with arrears, within six weeks. This directive is expected to set a precedent for similar cases, reinforcing the legal obligation to pay statutory minimum wages irrespective of employment terms.

This decision aligns with the court’s past rulings, such as in the case of Amarjeet Yadav v. State of U.P., where it was established that scheduled employments must adhere to the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, unless expressly exempted.

Bottom Line:

Part-time sweepers employed in police stations are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, overriding the executive government order fixing honorarium.

Statutory provision(s): Minimum Wages Act, 1948 Sections 2, 3, 5, 12, 26

Gobinddas v. State of U.P., (Allahabad) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2815709