C J Guzder, Managing Director, and Mahajan, General Manager, have been directed to appear before the court on September 6, 1999. 17 workers of the company have filed a contempt petition as the order of the labour court has yet to be complied with.

The workers had filed a case against the company as they were not issued appointment letters, and were being threatened with dismissal from the company's services. The workers then brought an injunction from the court, restraining the company from terminating their services and ordering that they be provided with work and wages.

Airfreight Limited said the 17 workers were not their employees but employees of various contractors. Two contractors were then examined by the labour court aswitnesses. While Omkar Transport stated that the 17 workers were not their employees, National Commercial Services admitted that they were employed with them and even filed documents, which on examination by the court turned out to be fabricated and bogus.

Presiding officer of the fifth labour court, M G Choudhary, in his order passed on December 31, observed that the company has engaged in unfair labour practices. The court also directed the company not to terminate the services of the workers and to pay minimum wages to the workers from 1994 onwards till date.

The company then appealed to the Industrial Court, which the presiding officer T M Mantri rejected. The Bombay High Court also refused to entertain the application of Airfreight Limited. In the meantime, the workers moved the court seeking contempt against the company management. Mukund Jambaulikar and T Fernandes appeared for the workers while N Y Gupte appeared on behalf the company.