Judgment

S.B. Majmudar, J.-Leave granted.

2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties finally in this appeal. It is being disposed of by this judgment.

3. The question involved in this appeal at the instance of the appel­lant-management pertains to the legality and validity of the discharge of the respondent-employee and also calls for the deci­sion as to whether the said discharge order amounted to ‘unfair labour practice’ on the part of the management. A few relevant facts are required to be noted at the outset.

Introductory Facts :

4. The respondent was working in the composing department of the appellant at Nagpur in Maharashtra State when his services were termi­nated. He was a foreman in the composing department of the appellant. The appellant is a company engaged in the publication of a Marathi daily named ‘Lokmat’. The appellant has its registered office at Nagpur and Lokmat is being published therefrom. In the year 1976, the appellant-company decided to start publication of Jalgaon Edition of the said paper and for that purpose set up an establishment at Jalgaon in the eastern district of Maharashtra State. The Jalgaon Edition was com­posed and printed at Nagpur and w