JUDGMENT :

1. This Writ Petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India is directed against an order passed on March 27, 1978, by the 1st respondent who is the Presiding Officer of the 5th Labour Court. The petitioner, a private limited company, are carrying on the business of manufacture of hospital, pharmaceutical and laboratory equipments. On September 17, 1968, the petitioners appointed the 3rd respondent as a clerk. By a letter dated April 29, 1977, the petitioners terminated the services of the 3rd respondent with effect from May 3, 1977. The 2nd respondent-union took up the cause of the 3rd respondent and demanded that he should be reinstated in service. Ultimately, on August 19, 1977, the Deputy Commissioner of Labour (Admn), Bombay, by his order of the same date referred the dispute - with respect to the reinstatement of the 3rd respondent for adjudication to respondent for adjudication to respondent No. 1. After receipt of the order of reference, notices were issued by the office of the Respondent No. 1, both to the petitioners and the respondents No. 2. By the said notice, respondents No. 2 were called upon to file their statement of claim and the petitioners to file