Monday, December 19 2005 17:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to re-examine its judgement on closure of Kudremukh iron ore mines in Karnataka affecting the employment of around 2,500 workmen.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice Ruma Pal, Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat dismissed the Petition filed by workers union, Kudermukh Shram Shakti Sangathan for reconsidering the October 30, 2002 verdict directing the closure of mines with effect from December 31, 2005.

The trade union in a last ditch effort had filed the Curative Petition after an appeal to review the judgement was rejected by the Apex court on November 29.

The Apex court had passed the order for closure of the mines pursuant to recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee.

The trade union had contended that the verdict closing the iron ore mine was delivered without hearing the workers interest and, therefore, by its closure, the employees will be deprived of their fundamental right under Article 21 for earning their livelihood.

The Union had alleged that the CEC report was vitiated as an interested person was its member.