New Delhi: The Supreme Court on July 21 declared the strike by Tamil Nadu government employees as illegal but suggested to the state government to take back all dismissed staff if they furnish an unconditional apology and undertaking not to go on strike.

A Bench comprising Justice M B Shah and Justice A R Lakshmanan took a compassionate view and asked the state government to respond to this suggestion in three-days time.

However, the court's suggestion would not apply to those who indulged in violence.

The next date of hearing of the case will be on July 24.

PTI