High Court of Tripura directs ONGC to consider a temporary office posting for a technician struggling with fear psychosis and anxiety

News Citation : 2026 LN (HC) 332

May 4, 2026 : In a recent ruling that balances corporate policy with employee welfare, the High Court of Tripura has intervened in a dispute between a technician and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC). The case centered on Sri Pritam Das, a Junior Technician who sought a temporary administrative posting after developing severe psychiatric health conditions, including anxiety disorder and fear psychosis, which he attributed to working hazards.

Mr. Das joined ONGC in early 2023 and initially served with distinction. However, his health took a turn for the worse in late 2024, leading to an extended medical leave. Upon returning to work, he found himself struggling to fulfill his technical duties at the rigs. Despite his requests for a temporary office-based role to aid his recovery, ONGC initially maintained that his technical designation offered no scope for such a transfer. The situation was further complicated by the withholding of his salary since January 2025, prompting him to seek legal redress.

Presiding over the case, Justice Biswajit Palit acknowledged the technical nature of Mr. Das’s employment, noting that the court could not permanently mandate a shift to a non-technical role for which he wasn’t hired. However, the court emphasized the human element of the situation, observing that an employee struggling with mental health ailments cannot provide the “best service” to their department. Justice Palit pointed out that forcing a technical staff member to work under the grip of fear psychosis could ultimately hinder the organization’s requirements.

In a compassionate middle-ground ruling, the High Court ordered Mr. Das to submit a fresh representation to the ONGC authorities within seven days. The court directed ONGC to consider his request for an office-based post, preferably for a period of one year or until his recovery. This temporary adjustment is intended to allow the petitioner to regain his health so that he may eventually return to his original duties and serve the corporation effectively once again.

Case Reference : W.P.(C) No. 670 of 2025, the High Court of Tripura heard the case of Sri Pritam Das vs. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. and Others, with Mr. Purusuttam Roy Barman, Sr. Adv., and Mr. Kawsik Nath, Adv., representing the petitioner, while Mr. Paromita Dhar, Adv., appeared for the respondents.