Judgment

DESAI, J. : - In this group of writ petitions, the only point of law canvassed is whether the appropriate Government was justified in declining to make a reference of. an industrial dispute arising out of the termination of service of each of the petitioners for adjudication to Industrial Tribunal/Labour Court under Sec. 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Writ Petitions Nos. 16226-29/84 : Four petitioners were the workmen employed by the second respondent Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Production Ltd. (employer for short). The employer on April 11, 1983 issued chargesheet in identical. terms to all the four petitioners calling upon them to show cause within 48 hours of the receipt of the chargesheet as to why suitable disciplinary action should not be taken against each of them. The charge-sheet referred to an incident that occurred on 11th April, 1983 at 8.15 A.M. between two groups of workers presumably owing loyalty to rival unions. The misconduct alleged against each petitioner was the one set out in Standing Order 20(XIV) and 20(XXV) of the Certified Standing Orders of the employer. Briefly stated, the charges were that the petitioners were guilty of fighting or rioto