ANDHRA SUGARS LIMITED Vs. LABOUR COURT PRESIDING OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE writ petitions arise under similar set of circumstances. Awards passed in I. D. Nos. 234, 235 and 236 of 1999, by the Labour Court, Guntur; are challenged in the respective writ petitions. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred to, as the Management, and the workmen. While the Management filed the first three writ petitions, one of the workmen filed W. P. No. 338 of 2006.

(2.) THE workmen were employed at various points of time, with the management. While the workmen in W. P. No. 27670 of 2005 is said to have resigned on 15-03-1999, those, in the other writ petitions, are stated to have submitted their resignations on the next day, mentioning different reasons. The management, in turn, accepted the resignations, on different dates, and the letters of acceptance were also communicated to the workmen. The latter submitted representations on 27-05-1999, disputing the very factum of submission of any resignations. It is alleged that during the course of unloading a truck by the workmen on 15-03-1999, in the premises of the factory, the timekeeper in the factory picked up a quarrel, and had forcibly collected the signatures, on blank papers. They pleaded that they did not entertain any idea of submitting resignations, particularly when their employment is the only source of their livelihood. The management issued replies, denying the allegations made by the workmen. Thereupon, the workmen approached the Labour Court, Guntur, by filing applications under Section 2-A (2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (for short 'the Act' ). Through the respective awards, the Labour Court, directed reinstatement of the workmen with backwages.

(3.) THE management contends that the Labour Court did not discuss the evidence from proper perspective, and had arrived at conclusions, contrary to the evidence on record. Other grounds are also urged. Counter-affidavits are filed by the workmen, disputing the contentions raised on behalf of the management. They reiterate the stand taken before the Labour Court.