( 1 ) THE facts of this case are shortly as follows : There are three companies before me as petitioners -- The National Tobacco Company of India Ltd. , the West Bengal Power Supply Co. Ltd. , and the Agarpara Co. Ltd. The first petitioner carries on the business of manufacture and sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. The second petitioner carries on the business of supplying electricity. The third petitioner carries on the business of manufacture and sale of jute fabrics. They have a common Managing Agent, Messrs, B. N. Elias and Co. Private Ltd. At all material times, until they were dismissed, the respondents Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were employed as clerks by the first petitioner. The respondents Nos. 10 and 11 were employed as clerks by the second petitioner, and respondents Nos. 12 and 13 were employed as clerks by the third petitioner. The office space at the Head Office situate at 1-2, Old Court House Corner in Calcutta is divided into two wings, one occupied by the first petitioner (known as the "n. T. C. side"), and the other wing is occupied by the other companies managed by the said B. N. Elias and Co. Private Ltd. as the Managing Agents, including