Rajiv Narain Raina, J.

1. This order will dispose of the aforementioned six writ petitions arising out of identical awards made by the Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal, Bathinda on 31.10.2011 in six separate references instituted in May, 1997 involving the legality of the orders dated 26.11.1996, whereby services of the workmen/respondents No. 2 were terminated w.e.f. 30.11.1996 following charges of misconduct. The Industrial Tribunal at Bathinda has answered the references in favour of the workman ordering reinstatement with continuity of service and 50% back wages. The back wages were ordered to be paid within two months from the publication of the award, failing which they were entitled to interest at the rate of 6% p.a. from the receipt of the reference i.e. 21.05.1997. They have also been held entitled to costs of Rs. 2200/- in each case from the Management. Aggrieved by the awards, the Management, a private bus operator, is before this Court for quashing the awards urging them to be perverse, misconceived and illegal.

2. Since the issue involved in all these cases is common, they can conveniently be decided by a consolidated order. However, for facility of refer