JUDGMENT - B.C. GADGIL, J.:---This is a proceeding under the Contempt of Courts Act. The proceeding is initiated against four persons. Respondent No. 1 is a trade union leader or labour leader and in that capacity he is involved in many disputes before the labour courts and Industrial courts. Sometime before 25-11-1983 he released a statement to the press and on its basis the English daily "Time of India" published the news item. That item reads as follows :---

DRAFT ALLEGED AMONG JUDICIAL OFFICERS

By a Staff Reporter

Bombay, November 84 : Allegations of corruption among judicial officials of the Industrial and labour courts were made by the Engineering Mazdoor Sabha to day.

Mr. R.J. Mehta, President of the Sabha demanded on behalf of the free trade union movement, the appointment of a High Court judge to investigate the matter.

In a statement here, he alleged that the Industrial and Labour courts were quoting different 'rates' for issuing injunctions against any party and for its confirmation and vacation.

The Sabha said that depending upon the consideration offered by the employers, the courts issued a decision reinstating a worker, rejected the demand or partially granted the demand.

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