INDIAN EXPRESS (P) LTD Vs. PRASHANT AMBEKAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the learned counsel appearing for rival parties, petition is taken up for final hearing and disposal.

(2.) Order passed by the Industrial Court permitting Respondent-workman to be represented by an Advocate as his defence representative in the domestic enquiry has been challenged by the employer in the present petition.

(3.) Respondent No.1 has filed a Complaint of unfair labour practice being Complaint (ULP) No.99/20124 in Industrial Court, Thane alleging victimisation and harassment on account of initiation of domestic enquiry against him. In that complaint, he filed application at Exhibit U-2 for grant of interim relief for engagement of Advocate to act as his defence representative. By order dtd. 9/12/2024, the Industrial Court has allowed the application and has permitted engagement of an Advocate to act as the workman's defence representative with further direction to the Petitioners to provide proper opportunity of raising defence to him. Accordingly, the Petitioner-employer has filed the present petition challenging the order dtd. 9/12/2024.