PRITAM SINGH Vs. THE KURUR CO

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner who was Secretary of Kurur Co-op. Agricultural Service Society Limited has filed the present petition challenging the award given by the Labour Court, Patiala. The Labour Court vide its order dated 20.1.87 (Annexure P.2) upheld the order of termination of services of the petitioner. The services of the petitioner were terminated on account of absence from duty. The petitioner approached the State Government and the matter was referred to the Labour Court for adjudication under Section 10(1)(c) of the Industrial Disputes Act and the Labour Court has upheld the order of termination vide its detailed award dated 20.1.1987.

(2.) It is the admitted case of the parties that the Labour Court gave opportunity to the respondent-employer to adduce evidence to establish the misconduct of the appellant and the petitioner was given full opportunity by the Labour Court to adduce his defence. The Labour Court in para 10 of the award has given the detailed reasons and upheld the order of termination of services of the petitioner.

(3.) According to the Labour Court, the petitioner has been found guilty of embezzlement of huge funds by the Arbitrator appointed under the Punjab Co-operative Societies Act and those awards have become final against the petitioner. The petitioner was also convicted by the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Barnala, for Rs. 29,577.45 and the workman-petitioner was sentenced to undergo R.I for six months and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/-. The counsel for the petitioner has not been able to challenge the correctness of the finding of the Tribunal with regard to the charges found against the petitioner.