Supreme Court Awards ₹12 Lakh to Woman Denied Job at IOC Over 38 Years Ago For 'Cannot Carry Cylinder'

In a landmark verdict addressing decades-long gender discrimination in public sector employment, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to pay ₹12 lakh in compensation to a qualified woman candidate identified as Sumitra, who was turned away from a job offer approximately 38 years ago solely because of her gender.

The incident dates back to the late 1980s when Sumitra, after clearing the selection process for a position at IOCL, was told by corporation officials that she would not be able to lift and carry LPG cylinders — a standard physical requirement for the role — and was therefore denied employment. At the time, the corporation maintained that the nature of the job required significant physical strength, which it claimed women inherently lacked.

By the time the case reached the Supreme Court, Sumitra had crossed the mandatory retirement age, making it impossible for the court to order her reinstatement to the position. Consequently, the apex court opted for monetary compensation instead. A bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi passed the order while strongly reprimanding IOCL for its discriminatory practices.

During the hearing, the judges expressed sharp dissatisfaction with the corporation's stance, observing that denying employment purely on the basis of gender was a clear violation of constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination. The Court noted that stereotypes about women's physical capabilities had no place in modern employment practices and that such assumptions dated back to an era when gender bias in the workplace was far more accepted.

Legal experts have welcomed the verdict as a significant step toward holding public sector undertakings accountable for historical discrimination. The case has also reignited broader discussions about gender discrimination in India's public sector, where women continue to face barriers in roles traditionally dominated by men.

IOCL, one of India's largest energy companies, employs thousands across the country and is responsible for the distribution of LPG and other petroleum products. The corporation has yet to publicly comment on the court's order.