G. E. POWER CONTROLS INDIA Vs. S. LAKSHMIPATHY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These petitions are disposed of in terms of the settlement signed between the parties.

(2.) Leave granted.

(3.) Writ petitions were filed by several employees of the appellant Company herein, namely, TVS Suzuki Ltd., (now TVS Motor Company Ltd.), challenging certain orders of transfer. The issue whether the writ petitions were maintainable against the appellant was referred with other matters in which a similar issue was raised to a Special Bench of the Madras High Court. On 5.05.2004, the Special Bench came to the conclusion that the writ petitions were not maintainable. However, it was held that the respondent employees would be entitled to seek a reference u/s. 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 within two weeks from the date of the receipt of the copy of the decision of the High Court. The High Court also directed that if any industrial disputes were raised, then the fora concerned, whether the Labour Court or the Industrial Tribunal, would dispose of the same within four months from the date of the receipt of the reference after affording opportunity to either party.