JUDGMENT:

Dr. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.

Challenge in this appeal is to the order passed by a learned Single Judge of the Allahabad High Court dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellants. Challenge in the writ petition was to the Award made by the Industrial Tribunal, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad (in short the Tribunal) in adjudication case No. 168 of 1980. Background facts in a nutshell are as follows:

Respondent Nos.2 & 3 were appointed as Chowkidars as muster roll employees on daily wage basis in the Fatehpur Sub-station on 1.6.1977. By order dated 17.1.1979, the appellant-Corporation decided that no one will be engaged as casual worker. Accordingly services of respondent Nos.2 & 3 and others were terminated as the construction work at Fatehpur Sub-station was over. Respondent Nos.2 & 3 disputed their termination on the ground that they were not paid the retrenchment compensation. The dispute was referred to the Tribunal in Adjudication Case No.168 of 1980. The Tribunal held that the termination was improper as they had completed 240 days of service and their retrenchment was violative of Section 25(F) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (in short the I.D. Act), and Section 6N of the U.P. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (in short the U.P. Act) and they were entitled to be reinstated with effect from 1979. Though there was a prayer for being declared as permanent employee, the Tribunal did not consider that question. Respondent Nos.2 & 3 were reinstated in compliance of the Award dated 17.8.1981. Respondent No.2 raised another industrial dispute i.e. Adjudication Case No.50 of 1985 claiming that he was a Pump Operator cum Electrician and, therefore, he was entitled to a declaration that he was to be paid salary applicable to the post he was holding. Respondent No.2 filed Misc. Writ Petition No.15509 of 1983 challenging the Award in Adjudication Case No.168 of 1980 on the ground that the second question relating to regularization was not decided. The questions referred read as follows:

"(1)Whether termination of service by employers of Labourers Mohammad Jamil (s/o

Shahamat Ulla) and Nand Lal (S/o Ram Kishan Patel) dated 1.2.1979 from Civil Construction Department is correct or legal? If not, then what relief do these labourers are entitled to get and on what basis?"

(2) If the above-stated reference-1 is answered in favour of the labourers then whether the employers should declare the disputed labourer as permanent. If yes, then on what basis?"

Respondent No.2 was again terminated under Section 6 N of the U.P. Act as there was no suitable work to be offered. While another industrial dispute i.e. Adjudication Case No.1 of 1985 was raised. In the said case it was held that termination was illegal but it was also held that he was not a regular employee. Direction was, however, given to consider the possibility of absorbing him on the job of regular nature. In the Adjudication Case No.50 of 1985 it was held that respondent No.2 worked as a casual Chowkidar as against the claim that he was working as Pump Operator cum Electrician. The claim made in that regard was negated by the Tribunal. The Award was not challenged by respondent No.2. Appellants filed writ petition No.17727 of 1985 inter alia challenging the Award dated 9.8.1985 in Adjudication Case No.1 of 1985. The same was subsequently withdrawn in the year 1990. On 1.6.1986 respondent No.2 was reinstated as a Chowkidar. According to the appellants, respondent No.2, after reinstatement, absented from duty illegally for several days. Respondent No.2 again filed Adjudication Case No.106 of 1987. When it was pointed out by the appellants that the issues raised by the claimants were already decided, respondent No.2 withdrew the case. Another Misc. Case No.15 of 1987 was lodged by respondent No.2 claiming wages from the period 1.6.1986 to 31.1.1987. The Labour Court directed the appellants to pay for the said period at the rate of Rs.10/- per day amounting to Rs.1640/- whic