. The challenge in this writ petition is directed against the award Ext. P-1 rendered by the Labour Court, Quilon in an industrial dispute (I.D. No. 71/69) that had arisen between the Travancore Rayons Ltd-the writ petitioner-and the Union representing the employees of the Company (first respondent). The said dispute concerns the termination of the services of an employee by name V. Sankaran Nair who was working in the spinning department of the petitioner-Company. The said employee was absent from duty without permission continuously for a long time commencing from 28th April, 1968. On the 12th of August, 1968 he applied for a month's leave on the ground of illness without producing any medical certificate. The period of absence from 28 41968 to 1181968 was not covered by that application for leave. By a memo dated 16th August, 1968 Sankaran Nair was directed by the Company to appear before the Company's Medical Officer for a medical examination. But he did not comply with the said direction. On 13th September, 1968 the Company informed the employee that since he had been continuously absenting from duty without leave or permission from 28th April, 1968 onwards he woul