JASWANT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by the workman challenging the award of the Labour Court dated 15.12.1985 (copy Annexure P/1) vide which reliefs of reinstatement and backwages were declined to him.

(2.) The case of the petitioner was that he was appointed on 28.12.1976 and his services were terminated with effect from 11.2.1977 vide order dated 14.2.1977. The case of the petitioner is that his juniors were retained though his service was terminated and subsequently also new persons were appointed.

(3.) The Labour Court has relied much on the letter of appointment which is at Ex.M1 in the record of the labour court. It is the letter vide which the petitioner was appointed as Conductor from 28.12.1976 to 10.2.1977. The important fact is that the said letter itself is dated 2.3.1977 i.e. after the service of the petitioner was terminated. This shows that this letter was even drafted after the termination of the service of the petitioner. Therefore, no reliance can be placed on this letter to hold that the service of the petitioner was for a limited period and that the terms of the appointment had come to an end. This being so, the question of applicability of Sec. 25O of the Industrial Disputes Act (hereinafter to as the "Act") will have to be considered. The Labour Court has held that there was no plea of malafides supported by proper evidence. However, Sec. 25G of the Act does not require a specific plea of malafides. The Labour Court had relied oh Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution of India and not regarding Sec. 25G of the Act.