Judgment

Santosh Hegde, J.—In this appeal the appellant is challenging an order made by the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Madras which allowed a writ appeal filed by the respondent-workman (the workman) reversing the order of the learned Single Judge of the same court who in turn had set aside the award of reinstatement made by the Labour Court.

2. The respondent was working as a Clerk in the Divisional Office of the appellant - Sugar Mills which had several godowns in different places under the control of the said Divisional Office. The appellant - Sugar Mills used to issue­ permit for supply of manure in bags to cane growers. The workman used to attend to the distribution of manure bags at two such godowns on different days of the week. It is alleged that on 5.2.1976 while the workman was attending to work in the godown at Sathancheri, he made an illegal demand of additional sum of Rs. 10/- purportedly as a donation for a temple festival stating that the said collection was authorised by the higher ups in the Management. The complainant - cane grower had stated in his complaint that this is an illegal gratification which the workman was collecting from the cane