JUDGMENT

[ WP(C) 31236/2018 ,WP(C).4342/2019 ,WP(C).5848/2019 ]

This batch comprises three Writ Petitions. Two petitions filed by the Ernakulam District Construction Workers Union and another by the Ernakulam District Construction Allied Workers' Union. To be specific, W.P.(C) Nos.4342 of 2019 and 5848 of 2019 are filed by the Ernakulam District Construction Workers Union. And W.P.(C)No.31236 of 2018 by the Ernakulam District Construction Allied Workers' Union. All these Writ Petitions have raised a common issue: the legitimacy of the Ernakulam District Construction Workers Union to use the registration number of an erstwhile union—

Marine Drive Workers Union.

2. The petitioner claims it is a trade union having 16000 workmen as its members. As to its origins, it further claims that its predecessor was Marine Drive Workers Union, with the registration No.612 of 1976. But as that union later became dysfunctional, the same office bearers—especially its President Adv.K.P.Haridas—applied for a change of name and secured the Ext.P1.

3. In other words, the Ernakulam District Construction Workers Union succeeded the Marine Drive Workers Union and has continued to exist to this date with the sa