These are petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution for the issue of a writ of certiorari to call for records in C.P. Nos. 746 to 748 of 1957, and quash the order of the Labour Court, Madras, dated 24th September, 1958.

Th,e South Arcot Co-operative Motor Transport Society Ltd. (for Ex-Service-men) is a Society registered under the Madras Co-operative Societies Act, 1932, and is engaged in the running of lorries and motor transport services in South Arcot District. Syed Batcha, Appadurai and Kantian were amongst those who were employed by the petitioner in the transport services. It is stated that they were also shareholders in the Society. In 1957, the Society decided to close down the lorry service and confine its activities to motor transport only. As a consequence thereof, the Society had to discharge some of its workmen. There is no controversy that the discharge proposed was anything but. bona fide, occasioned by the abolition of a section of the petitioner’s business. By the proceedings, dated 16th November, 1957, the Society dispensed with the services of five persons, amongst whom were Syed Batcha, Appadurai and Kannan. The three persons, along with another fi