Coming to the aid of all Air India pilots, permanent as well as on contract, whose services were terminated last year, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday quashed the national carrier's decision and directed their reinstatement.
The direction was issued by Justice Jyoti Singh who also ordered that back wages would have to be paid to the reinstated pilots.
The court said that the back wages, including allowances, have to be paid at par with what in-service pilots were receiving and in accordance with the government rules.
The court also said that extension for the contractual pilots would be at the discretion of Air India in view of their satisfactory performance.
The court said the detailed judgement would be available only on Wednesday.
The order was passed in over 40 petitions by pilots whose services were terminated by Air India on August 13 last year.