Judgement

VENKATARAMIAH, J.:- This appeal by special leave is filed against the judgment of the High Court of Bombay in Appeal No. 264 of 1985 dated March 26, 1985 affirming the decision of the learned single Judge of that Court in Writ Petition No. 867 of 1980 dated January 18, 1984.

2. The appellant is a company engaged in the business of manufacturing barrels and drums at its factory in Bombay. In the year 1971 it had engaged about 1100 workmen about 600 permanent workmen and 500 temporary workmen. It is alleged that since 1968 the factory was working intermittently and that the situation had worsened on account of non-availability of raw materials and other compelling circumstances. By 1971 the company could see no other alternative but to close down its factory and accordingly it issued a closure notice dated September 30, 1971 which was duly displayed on the Notice Board and that it also intimated all its workmen that their services would stand terminated due to the closure of the factory with effect from November 1, 1971. The workmen also were informed that they would be paid compensation under section 25FFF of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as the