STATE OF HARYANAversusDILBAGH SINGH
- Citation
- 2006 INSC 710
- Decided
- 18 October 2006
- Disposal
- Dismissed
Holding
The Tribunal’s finding of violation of Sections 25‑G and 25‑H is affirmed; reinstatement is ordered but no back wages are payable.
Summary
The respondent, Dilbagh Singh, a Beldar in the Public Works Department, was terminated on 25‑December‑1999. A dispute under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 was referred to the Labour Court, which held that his termination violated Sections 25‑G and 25‑H because junior employees remained in service, and ordered his reinstatement with continuity of service and 50 % back wages from 1‑February‑2000. The State of Haryana appealed the award to the High Court, which affirmed the Labour Court’s decision, and subsequently filed a civil appeal before this Court. The Court examined the evidence and found that the Tribunal’s factual finding of a junior employee still working was uncontradicted, confirming the breach of the statutory provisions. While the Court upheld the order of reinstatement, it held that, in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances, the respondent was not entitled to any back wages. Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed and the appellant was directed to issue the appointment order within one month.
Issues considered
- Whether the termination of the workman violated Sections 25‑G and 25‑H of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
- Whether the workman is entitled to back wages in addition to reinstatement.
Legislation cited
- Industrial Disputes Act, 1947s. 25-G, s. 25-H
Subjects
Judgment
A STATE OF HARYANA
v.
DILBAGH SINGH
OCTOBER 18, 2006
B [A.K. MATHUR AND LOKESHWAR SINGH PANTA, JJ.]
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947:
ss. 25-G and 25-H-Workman-Termination of services, but his juniors
C retained in service-Tribunal holding that there being violation of provisions
of ss.25-G and 25-H, workman would be reinstated with continuity of service
and 50% back wages from the date of demand notice-Held, the finding of
Tribunal has not been controverted by the Management and there is no reason
to take a different view, from that of the Tribunal which has been affirmed by
D High Court-Workman will be reinstated, but in view of peculiar facts and
circumstances, he will not be entitled to any back wages.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 3443 of2006.
From the Judgment and final Order dated 28.4.2005 of the High Court
E of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in C.W.P. No. 6550/2005.
Manjit Singh, A.A.G., Harikesh Singh and T.V. George for the
Appellant.
Anil Hooda, Dr. Sushi! Balwada, Ram Kishore Singh Yadav, Kaushal
F Yadav, Harinder Mohan Singh for the Respondent.
The Order of the Court was delivered by
ORDER
G This appeal is directed against the order passed by the Division Bench
of the High Court dated 28.04.2005 whereby the Division Bench has confirmed
the award given by the Labour Court.
The respondent was serving as a Beldar in PWD (B & R) and his
services were terminated on 25.12.1999. A dispute under the Industrial
H 334
STATE OF HARYANA v. DILBAGH SINGH 335
Disputes Act, 194 7 (hereinafter to be referred to as the ·Act') was raised and A
the matter was referred to Labour Court and the Labour Court after hearing
both the parties found that there is a breach of Sections 25-G and 25-H of
the Act. It was held that person junior to the respondent is still working
whereas the services of the respondent had been terminated. Therefore, the
Labour Court allowed the claim of the respondent and granted reinstatement B
with continuity of service with 50% back wages from the date of demand
notice i.e. from 1.2.2000. Aggrieved against that order a writ petition was
filed before the High Court and the High Court affinned the order of the
Labour Court. Hence, the present appeal.
We have heard learned counsel for the parties. Learned counsel for the C
appellant has failed to substantiate that no person junior to the respondent
had been retained in the Department. It is a clear finding of the Tribunal that
a person like Krishan s/o Dharam Singh who is junior to the respondent is
still working with the Management whereas the services of the respondent
had been terminated. It is also alleged that another person named Mahabir
who is also junior to the respondent is still working with the Management. D
Therefore, the Tribunal has found violation of Sections 25-G & 25-H of the
Act. This finding of fact has not been controverted by the management and
there is no reason to take a different view from the view taken by the Tribunal
which was affirmed by the High Court. Hence, we find no merit in this
appeal and the same is accordingly dismissed. The respondent shall be E
reinstated but looking into the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case,
he will not be entitled to any back wages. The appellant shall issue order of
appointment of the respondent within one month from the date of receipt of
this order. There will be no order as to costs.
R.P. Appeal dismissed. F
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