Since the challenge to the reference made to the Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, No. 1, Dhanbad made on 18.04.2012 has failed before the Writ Court, the Steel Authority of India has preferred this Letters Patent Appeal.

2. The Steel Authority of India is a Government company and is manufacturing steel. It is also engaged in the research and development activities in the field of iron and steel. The writ petition was filed challenging the Reference Order dated 18.04.2012 to the extent that the appellant was made a party in the dispute. The Reference Order dated 18.04.2012 was also challenged as not maintainable on the ground that the dispute was between the terminated employees and their employer and not between the terminated employees and the appellant. The case pleaded by the appellant before the Writ Court was that a contractor was selected through tender process for outsourcing the job of upkeep and maintenance of the Guest House and T.D.C. Programme Complex and premises of SAIL Guest House at Shyamli Township, Ranchi. The respondent no. 3 namely, M/s Maa Construction was selected as the contractor vide letter dated 31.12.2008 on certain terms