(1.) Challenge in this petition is made by a group of 496 workmen to the common order passed by the Labour Court, Vadodara dated 07.02.2014 below Exh.6 in Reference No.100 of 2012 to 124 of 2012 and 126 of 2012 to 605 of 2012, whereby the Labour Court has held that, the said References are barred by limitation.
(2.) During the pendency of this petition, the respondent company has filed a Civil Application with the prayer that the petitioners - workmen need to refund the amount received by them under the Voluntary Separation Scheme / Special Separation Scheme, which they now call illegal termination.
(3.) It is noted that, Mr.P.R.Thakkar, learned advocate for the petitioners - workmen and Mr.K.S.Nanavati, learned senior advocate for the company have addressed this Court at length on merits of the petition so also the civil application. They have also given written submissions and have referred to number of authorities before this Court. The written submissions given on behalf of the workmen are noted in para:4, the authorities relied on behalf of the workmen are noted in para:5, the written submissions given on behalf of the company are noted in para:6 and the authorities relied on behalf of the company are noted in para:7. It is further noted that, the points at issue before this Court are noted in para:8 of this order. The findings of this Court, on the points at issue are recorded from para:9 onwards. The operative part of the order is at para:14 of this order.