IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
Kamdar S.U., J.
Sudarshan Steel Mfg. Co. .... Petitioners.
Versus
Mumbai Labour Union another.... Respondents.
Writ Petition No. 1651 of 2002, decided on 7-4-2004.
Advocates appeared :
R.S. Pal i/b. Sanjay Udeshi Co., for petitioners.
P.G. Lad, for respondent No. 1.
Industrial Court - Illegal Lockout - Complaint (ULP) No. 1660 of 1991 - Summary of Acts and Sections: Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 - Section 2(k), Section 25F, Section 25G, Section 25H, Section 25J, Section 25K, Section 25M - The court discussed the legality of the dismissal order, the duty of the employer to provide work to the workmen, and the necessity for the court to consider subsequent events affecting the matter.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioners challenged the order passed by the Industrial Court, which allowed the complaint in part and directed the workmen to resume duty with back wages. The dispute arose from a strike, withdrawal of the strike, and subsequent illegal lockout by the petitioner company. The workers alleged that they were not permitted to resume duty, while the company claimed to have issued charge-sheets and conducted domestic enquiries resulting in termination of services.
Finding of the Court:
The Industrial Court held that the dismissal orders and enquiries were not effective, as the workers had withdrawn the strike and reported for work, which was refused by the company. The court found that the subsequent dismissal of workers affected the original reliefs sought, and the complaint was not maintainable without challenging the dismissal orders.
Issues: The issues involved the legality of the dismissal order, the duty of the employer to provide work to the workmen, and the consideration of subsequent events affecting the matter.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that it must consider all relevant facts and material arising during the proceedings, and the original reliefs sought or complaints made must still survive in light of subsequent events. The court found that the complaint was not maintainable without challenging the dismissal orders.
Final Decision: The court set aside the order passed by the Industrial Court in Complaint (ULP) No. 1660 of 1991, stating that unless the workers challenge the dismissal orders, the order passed by the Industrial Court cannot be sustained. The petition was allowed.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that on 15-4-1987 the petitioner union gave a notice of strike with effect from 2-5-1987. The said strike continued for almost a period of four years. Though the said strike was not declared illegal but on 12-8-1991 the said strike is supposed to have been withdrawn. It is the further case of the petitioner that in spite of the fact that the strike was withdrawn, no worker resumed the duty and reported on job though the jobs were offered to them. On the other hand it is the case of the union that though the strike was withdrawn, the respondent union's member workers were not permitted to resume their job and their duties. Consequently, the petitioner management has illegally declared lock out in the said factory premises. On the aforesaid allegations of the parties, the aforesaid complaint was filed, inter alia, alleging that the petitioner company had declared illegal lock out and has not allowed the members of the respondent union to resume duty. Before the learned trial Court the parties were examined in detail.
3. The learned Counsel for the petitioner pointed out that in fact by virtue of the conduct on the part of the members of the respondent union not to report on duty after sending several reminders ultimately a charge-sheet was issued to various workers on 9-6-1992 and the workers were charge- sheeted. It is the further case of the petitioner that pursuant to the said charge-sheet, domestic enquiry was conducted by the petitioner management and ultimately be various orders issued to various workers the petitioner management terminated the services of the said workers. It is the case of the respondent union members on the other hand that no such charge-sheet was served on them, no such enquiry was conducted and there was no legal or valid order of dismissal. The learned Industrial Court in the judgment impugned before me has while considering this aspect of the matter has held that he is not inclined to go into the said issue at all. In paragraph 24 of the said judgment, the learned Member of the Industrial Court has held as under :-
"24. Learned Advocate Shri S.S. Rane argued that departmental enquires have been conducted against all the workers and they remained absent for the enquiry and the enquiry was conducted ex parte. All the workmen have failed to report for work even after the strike was withdrawn. It is pertinent to note that during the pendency of the complaint, the respondents have initiated and completed the enquiry. Witness Shri Dholkiya, who is Enquiry Officer has been examined on the point of enquiry. From the evidence of this whiteness it is crystal clear that the place of enquiry had not been mentioned in the charge-sheet. Notice of enquiry and charge-sheet were not served on the concern workmen. The point whether the enquiry is just and proper is not the issue before this Court. Hence I am not gong into details of that evidence. But the pertinent point is, whether the company was entitled to hold such enquiry when the matter was pending in this Court. In fact the company could have offer the workmen to report for work. The workmen have prayed in this complaint that the company should allow them to report for work. The company, instead of making such efforts, has made a farce of departmental enquiry. I find that the said departmental enquiry would have bearing; if at a
AI
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.