K GOVINDARAJULU Vs. NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD the learned counsels appearing for the parties concerned.

(2.) IT has been stated that the petitioner had joined in the respondent Company as a sub-staff, on 16.3.1959. Subsequently, he was promoted as a Junior Assistant in the year, 1965. In the month of July, 1984, he was promoted as a Senior Assistant and he had retired from service in the year, 1998, as a Senior Assistant. At the time of his retirement, he was working at Division No.2-46, Moore Street, Chennai. During his employment, the petitioner was holding the post of Union Joint Secretary in General Insurance Employees Union.

(3.) THE petitioner has further submitted that, on 24.1.1998, Dr.T.K.Venkataraman had addressed a letter to him stating that he had been compelled to give a letter, dated 1.2.1996, on account of the pressure exerted by the respondent Company. Thus, it is clear that the respondent Company had decided to victimise the petitioner for his trade union activities. Since the enquiry was mainly based on the letter, dated 1.2.1996, issued by Dr.T.K.Venkataraman without examining him as a witness, the enquiry is void in the eye of law.