Judgment

WANCHOO, J.: This is an appeal by special leave against the judgment of the Madras High Court. The appellant is a textile mill. Rangarathinam Pillai respondent was employed as an accountant in the mill for over 18 years by the appellant. On September 11, 1958, the appellant served a notice on the respondent under cl. 17(a) of the Standing Orders terminating his services on and from September 24, 1958. No reasons were given in the order terminating the service. The respondent protested against his dismissal and said that he had a blameless record and had not done anything meriting the termination of his services. He added that no show-cause notice had been served upon him, no explanation was asked for and no enquiry whatsoever had been held before the order was issued. He further alleged that he had been victimised for his trade union activities as he was a member of the Executive of the Coimbatore District Textile Mill Staff Union. When his protest had no effect, he made an application under S. 38-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, No. 14 of 1947, (hereinafter referred to as the Act), as an industrial dispute was pending at the time between, the appellant and its workmen. Th