BALBIR SINGH Vs. PUNJAB ROADWAYS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) The petitioner was a conductor in the Punjab Roadways at the relevant point of time. Several orders of punishment of stoppage of increment, with or without cumulative effect were passed against him in June 1978, October 1983, April 1987, November 1990 and may,1991. The industrial dispute raised on behalf of the petitioner by the workmen's' union was referred by the State Government for adjudication to the Industrial Tribunal in 1995. The Tribunal by the award dated 22nd July, 1998 held that the punishment orders were vitiated having been passed without holding proper inquiry but declined to grant relief in respect of the orders excepting the last order dated 10th May, 1991, on the ground of delay.

(3.) The petitioner filed a writ petition in the High Court of Punjab and Haryana seeking quashing of the award of the Tribunal declining to grant any relief in his favour despite the favourable finding in merits. The Division Bench of the High Court dismissed the writ petition and confirmed the award passed by the Tribunal holding that there was no good ground to interfere with the exercise of judicial discretion by the Tribunal. The High Court observed: