C. HARI SHANKAR, J.

1. The industrial dispute, which has led to the passing of the impugned Award, dated 16th October, 2003, by the Labour Court, was initiated by the petitioner, claiming to be aggrieved by his unceremonious verbal removal from service, by the respondent, on 28th May, 1991.

2. Subsequent thereto, on 24th June, 1991, the Okhla Industrial Workers Union (hereinafter referred to as “OIWU”) addressed a representation to the Regional Labour Officer (Ex. WW-1/4 before the Labour Court), complaining that the petitioner, who had been serving the respondent since 1983, had been verbally removed from service on 28th May, 1991, merely because he had protested against the respondent extracting, from its employees, twice the work which they were supposed to perform. The representation, therefore, requested that the petitioner be reinstated in service with full back wages. The Regional Labour Officer/Labour Inspector responded, vide letter dated 26th June, 1991 (Ex. WW-1/3) addressed to the OIWU, stating that the matter had been discussed, with the respondent, who had stated that the petitioner had not been removed from service, but had remained absent from service, of hi