Judgment

DESAI, J:- The hollow plea of the employer of an alleged denial of an opportunity (never claim at any stage except in Letters Patent Appeal) to substantiate an alleged misconduct of the workman by evidence alinude has been responsible for dragging a tiny dispute rendering the workman jobless for an unusually long period of more than 7 years to this apex court.

2. Facts now beyond the pale of controversy are few and may be briefly stated. Appellant joined service with the first respondent company (company for short) in August 1963 and was confirmed in March 1964. In October 1970 appellant was drawing a composite salary of Rs. 180/-. An industrial dispute touching the workmen of the company was pending before the Industrial Tribunal, when the events leading to the present appeal occurred. On 1st October, 1970 around 5 p.m. appellant is alleged to have hoisted two red flags atop the Branch Office building simultaneously shouting inflammatory slogans. He is alleged to have threatend the Shift Manager Shree Manik Mukharjee who was on duty at the relevant time. The incident was reported to police. Respondent employer felt aggrieved by such indiscpline exhibited by the appellant an