The Labour Court must decide the validity of a domestic inquiry as a preliminary issue in employment termination cases to ensure adherence to natural justice principles.

JUDGMENT

Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)--This hearing has been done in physical Court. Hybrid mode is permitted in cases where permission is being sought from the Court.

2. These are six petitions filed by the Petitioner-Management (hereinafter "Management") challenging the order dated 22nd November, 2021 passed by the Labour Court in LIR No.2920/19, 2921/19, 2922/19, 2023/19, 2925/19 & 2926/19 whereby an application which was filed by the Management for framing of an additional issue in the proceedings before the Labour Court, and for deciding the said issue as a preliminary issue was partly allowed.

3. In this matter, the Respondents-Workmen (hereinafter "Workmen"), who were working with the Petitioner at various ATMs, were terminated after a disciplinary inquiry was held by the Petitioner. The said termination was challenged by the Workmen before the Labour Court. In the said claims filed by the Workmen, the terms of reference were framed on 3rd October, 2019. The matter was thereafter proceeded before the Labour Court. On 1st October, 2021, the following issues were framed:

"(1) Whether the workman is not covered under definition of a "workman" as defined under Section 2 (s) of I.D. Act? OPM.

(2) Whether the services of workman have been illegally and unjustifiably terminated by the management? OPW.

(3) If the answer to the aforesaid issue is in affirmative, then as to what monetary or any other consequential relief and benefits, the workman is entitled? OPW.

(4) In terms of reference.

(5) Relief."

4. Since the Workmen had been terminated after a proper internal inquiry which was held by the Management, an application was moved by the Management seeking framing of a preliminary issue in respect of the validity and legality of the inquiry. The case of the Management was that as per the settled legal position, the Labour Court ought to frame an issue in respect of the said inquiry and thereafter treat the same as a preliminary issue. The Management relied upon various decisions of the Supreme Court in this regard. In the said application, the following order was passed by the Labour Court:

"An application has been filed by the management to frame preliminary issue with respect to validity of inquiry. Reply of the application is filed by the workman denying the contentions and praying to dismiss the application.

Arguments heard on the application and gone through the judgment relied by the management in support of contentions. The issues in this case were framed on 01.10.2021. Though the issue raised regarding the inquiry is well covered under the issue no. 2 regarding illegal termination of the workman by the management but in view of the specific objections of the management in the written statement, an additional issue vide issue no. 1 A is framed as under: -

Issue No. 1A:

Whether the inquiry conducted against the workman by the management was biased, unfair and not in consonance with the principles of natural justice? OPW

5. Mr. Arun Mehta, ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the Management, submits that the grievance of the Management is that if the inquiry related issue now framed as issue no.1A, is not decided as a preliminary issue and if the matter is adjudicated upon toget