ORDER

Sahai, J. - Daily Wagers of Allahabad University Working continuously for last five years without any break, mainly in its Library section, have invoked extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court against termination of their services by the Librarian as invalid and void since they, having worked for more than 240 days became regular employees whose services could not be dispensed with except in accordance with procedure provided under Industrial Disputes Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act).

2. In the initial stages of arguments attempt was made to dispute applicability of the Act to University but later on it was given up. therefore, controversy narrowed down to if termination of petitioners' services did not amount to retrenchment within meaning of Cl. (oo) of Section 2 of the Act as it had come to an end because of expiry of term of contract entered between University. the employers and petitioners, the employees, as provided in sub-cl. (bb) of Cl. (oo) added in 1984.

3. That termination of service of a workman who has worked for not less than 240 days within a period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of termination without paying retrenchment compensation or fo