1982 Supreme(Raj) 398
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
G.M.Lodha, J.
S.N. Singh - Appellant
Versus
Raj Atomic Power Project And Anr. - Respondent
S.B.C.W.P. No. 1340 of 76.
Decided On : 5-08-1982
Important Points
Subject
Industrial Disputes - DISMISSAL OF PROTECTED WORKMAN
Headnote
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT - SECTION 33 - CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (CLASSIFICATION, CONTROL AND APPEAL) RULES, 1965 - RULE 15(4)(II)(B) - Dismissal of a protected workman without obtaining permission from the Conciliation Officer and without considering the representation filed by the workman against the show cause notice is illegal and violative of the principles of natural justice.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, a protected workman, was dismissed from service for leading a procession and shouting slogans at a prohibited/protected place of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project. The dismissal was ordered without obtaining permission from the Conciliation Officer as required under Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act and without considering the representation filed by the workman against the show cause notice in violation of Rule 15(4)(ii)(b) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.
Finding of the Court:
The Court held that the dismissal of the petitioner was illegal and violative of the principles of natural justice. It held that the management was required to obtain permission from the Conciliation Officer before dismissing the petitioner under Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act and that the management was also required to consider the representation filed by the workman against the show cause notice before passing the order of dismissal.
Issues: 1. Whether the dismissal of the petitioner was illegal for non-compliance with Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act? 2. Whether the dismissal of the petitioner was violative of the principles of natural justice for non-consideration of the representation filed by the workman against the show cause notice?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The Court held that the conciliation proceedings were not pending at the time of the dismissal of the petitioner and, therefore, the management was not required to obtain permission from the Conciliation Officer under Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act. 2. The Court held that the management was required to consider the representation filed by the workman against the show cause notice before passing the order of dismissal and that the failure to do so violated the principles of natural justice.
Final Decision: The Court dismissed the writ petition but directed the management to reconsider the quantum of punishment and consider the continuance of the workman in service with least punishment sympathetically.
ARTICLE- I
That the said Shri S.N. Singh, T/Man 'D' O & M Section led a procession of employees on 11th December, 1974 at about 12.00 hrs. from near the switch yard to old Administration Block shouting slogans. Shri S.N. Sin