N. Paul Vasanthakumar, J.

1. This writ appeal is preferred against the order of the learned single Judge made in W.P.No.6664 of 2013 dated 19.3.2013, wherein the appellant herein has prayed for quashing the award dated 9.8.2001 made in Complaint No.17 of 1999 on the file of the Industrial Tribunal, Chennai.

2. The second respondent herein filed a Complaint No.17 of 1999 in I.D.No.108 of 1993 before the Industrial Tribunal, Chennai, under Section 33A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, against four companies, i.e., respondents 2 to 5 in the industrial dispute, contending that the management laid-off the workers from 1.8.1999 to 23.8.1999 and declared an illegal lock-out on 2.11.1999 and the same amounts to offence punishable under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. An award was passed by the Industrial Tribunal on 9.8.2001 holding that the lay-off from 1.8.1999 to 23.8.1999 and lock-out from 2.11.1999 are illegal and the Industrial Tribunal directed the four companies, who were respondents 2 to 5 before the Industrial Tribunal, to reinstate all the workers, with effect from 2.11.1999 and pay back wages.

3. The said award of the Industrial Tribunal ha