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The Director vs P.Arunmozhi
2023 Latest Caselaw 5186 Mad

Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 5186 Mad
Judgement Date : 1 June, 2023

Madras High Court
The Director vs P.Arunmozhi on 1 June, 2023
                                                                                    W.P.No.11698 of 2004

                                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

                                                   DATED : 01.06.2023

                                                        CORAM :
                        THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD

                                      Writ Petition No.11698 of 2004


                    The Director,
                    BCG Vaccine Laboratory,
                    Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.                                ... Petitioner

                                                            Vs.

                    1.P.Arunmozhi

                    2.The Presiding Officer,
                      Central Government Industrial
                      Tribunal – cum – Labour Court,
                      26, Haddows Road, Shastri Bhavan,
                      Chennai – 600 006.                                   … Respondents

                              Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying
                    for issuance of Writ of Certiorari calling for the records of the Honourable
                    Central Government Industrial Tribunal – cum – Labour Court, Chennai
                    made in I.D.No.63/2002 on 08.12.2003, quash the same.



                              For Petitioner        : Mr.N.Ramesh

                              For Respondent 1       : Mr.P.Rajendhran


                    Page No.1 of 28

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
                                                                                        W.P.No.11698 of 2004



                              For Respondent 2        : Court



                                                            ORDER

The relief sought by the petitioner in this writ petition is to call for the

records of the Honourable Central Government Industrial Tribunal – cum –

Labour Court, Chennai made in I.D.No.63/2002 on 08.12.2003.

2. The facts of the case in a nutshell:

The first respondent was appointed directly as a Casual Labourer

in the petitioner’s Laboratory w.e.f. 19.06.2000 without reference to the

Employment Exchange and his appointment was periodically extended with

break in service. His service was not extended beyond 31.01.2001, as there

was no requirement of services of casual labour in the section, where he was

posted. He served only for a total period of 174 days. The first respondent

raised an industrial dispute before the Industrial Labour Commissioner

(Central) by filing a Petition dated 04.09.2001. The petitioner replied by a

letter dated 31.10.2001 that (1) The petitioner's organisation is not an

industry and it is sub-institution of Central Government under administrative

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

control of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and hence, Industrial

Disputes Act is not applicable and that (2) All employees are

governed by Central Service Rules. However, the dispute was referred to the

second respondent/Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour

Court. The Tribunal has passed an award dated 08.12.2003, directing re-

instatement of first respondent with full backwages and benefits. Aggrieved

by the said award dated 08.12.2003, the petitioner has come forward with the

present writ petition.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the first respondent

was engaged as Daily Rated Casual Labourer for the period from 19.06.2000

to 30.06.2000 and on his engagement, he was paid at the rate of Rs.73/- per

day for the days he worked as Daily Rated Casual Labourer. Subsequently, he

was engaged for further period from 01.07.2000 to 31.07.2000, 01.08.2000 to

31.08.2000, 01.09.2000 to 05.09.2000, 18.09.2000 to 30.09.2000, 01.10.2000

to 31.10.2000, 01.11.2000 to 30.11.2000, 11.12.2000 to 31.12.2000 and

finally for a further period from 01.01.2001 to 31.01.2001 and his

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

engagement was not further extended by the petitioner and the first

respondent has worked for only 174 days.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner drew the attention of this Court to

the letter dated 31.10.2001 in regard to the Industrial Dispute raised by the

first respondent under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, wherein, it is stated

that:

“ I am to inform that as stated in the said letter this Laboratory is a sub-

ordinate institution of the Central Government under the administrative

control of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. All its employees are

governed by the service rules as applicable to employees of other Central

Government Departments and hence, this Laboratory is not an Industry and

the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 does not apply to this office.”

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner further drew the attention of this

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

Court to the appointment order issued to Shri R.Madhana Gopal, who was

sponsored by the Employment Exchange (Employment Exchange

Registration No.5599/94) and posted as Animal Attendant with a scale of pay

of Rs.2550/- per month, with effect from 23.02.2001.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner further drew the attention of this

Court to ground C of the affidavit, wherein, it is stated that the appointment

of Shri R.Madhanagopal as Casual Labourer was extended, as his services

were required in the Section, where he was working. Moreover, he was

sponsored by the Employment Exchange, whereas the first respondent was

not sponsored by the Employment Exchange. However, Shri

R.Madhanagopal's appointment as Casual Labourer too was not extended

beyond 22.02.2001. But, he was appointed as Animal Attendant with effect

from 23.02.2001, consequent upon his selection by the Departmental

Selection Committee (DSC). Further, Shri R.Madhangopal had submitted his

application for the post of Animal Attendant in response to the Circular of the

Petitioner's office whereas, the first respondent did not submit any such

application. Moreover, according to the Reservation Roster, the said post of

Animal Attendant was to be filled by an OBC Candidate and Shri

R.Madhangopal, being an OBC Candidate was selected after due procedure.

Subsequently, when the petitioner’s office sought to make an application to

the post of Laboratory Peon, Shri R.Madhanagopal was sponsored by the

Employment Exchange. Besides that, the said post of Laboratory Peon as

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

also to be filled by on OBC candidate. Therefore, based on the

recommendations of the Departmental Selection Committee, Shrii

R.Madhanagopal was appointed as Laboratory Peon w.e.f. 26.03.2001.

Therefore, the second respondent has erred in comparing the appointment of

Shri R.Madhanagopal with that of the first respondent.

7. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the

engagement of Casual Labourer and discontinuation of engagement will not,

by any stretch of interpretation, amount to 'Retrenchment' under section 25G

of the Industrial Disputes Act. The first respondent was engaged as Casual

Labourer only for a total period of 174 days. Even to seek regularization, the

OM/Law mandates, engagement as Casual Labourer for not less than 240

days. Hence, the first respondent was not entitled to claim regularization of

his service.

8. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the

findings of the Tribunal that the non-employment is in total violation of the

provisions contained in Section 25G of the Industrial Disputes Act is not

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

correct. The provisions of Section 25G deals with procedure for

retrenchment. When the law excludes the non-renewal of the contract of

employment between the employer and the workman concerned on its expiry

form the purview of retrenchment, the said provisions of Section 25G also

stand excluded as it deals only with the procedure for retrenchment. The

non-consideration for further employment was due to the reason as there was

no requirement of his services. It is pertinent to point out that the first

respondent was employed as casual labourer without following the rules

which stipulate that the employee should be sponsored by the employment

exchange. He had been engaged against the rules – only on the oral

instructions of a higher official visiting and the same was also admitted by

the first respondent in his claim petition before the Tribunal, which is

irregular and against the rules and hence illegal. As per OM No.49014/2/93

Estt. (C) dt. 12th July 1994, of the Ministry of Personnel, Public

Grievances and Pensions (Deptt. Of Personnel and Training), and as per

Clarification in Sl.No.1,

“Since it is mandatory to engage casual Employees through Employment Exchange, the appointment of casual employees without Employment Exchange is irregular, hence

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such casual employees cannot be bestowed with temporary status.”

Thus, as per the instructions of the Government of India, the first respondent

cannot be even considered for temporary status.

9. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the

employment of causal labourer was made statutory with the introduction of

the Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of vacancies) Act,

1959. It was made applicable to all establishments owned by the Central

Government or a department of the Central Government. All vacancies in

Central Government Establishment other than those filled through the UPSC

or agencies like the Staff Selection Commission should be notified to the

nearest Employment Exchange and no department or office should fill any

vacancy by direct recruitment (MHA OM.No.71/49-DGS, DT 11-12.49 R/W

mha om. No.14/11/64-Estt (D) dt 21.3.64).

10. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that there is

no illegality in the non-engagement of the first respondent after 31.01.2001.

In the case of causal labour, there is no requirement for issuing any kind of

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

notice to him regarding non-renewal of engagement. Such daily rated Casual

Labourers are appointed for a period of one month for carrying out work of

casual and seasonal nature. Based on the exigencies of work, their

appointments are continued for a further period of one month and they are

informed accordingly. Hence, such appointments cease to exist on

completion of one month and the same is extended, only if there is any work

of casual or seasonal nature. In the case of the first respondent, his

appointment as casual labourer was not extended beyond 31.01.2001 due to

the reasons mentioned above.

11. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the case of

the first respondent is not falling under Retrenchment as per S.2(OO) (BB),

the applicability of 25(G) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, particularly

the principle of 'last come, first go' is not at all applicable to the present case.

In the award, it is stated that the first respondent produced Employment

Exchange Registration card, which evidenced his registration in 1993. It is

further claimed by the first respondent that Shri R.Madhanagopal got

registered only subsequently in the year 1994. However, what matters is, the

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recommendation of the Employment exchange. The undisputed fact as

evidenced by the copy of the letter dated 01.06.2001 of the District

Employment Officer, Chennai does not contain the name of the first

respondent. Hence, there is no room for any irrebuttable presumption that the

Employment Exchange would have sponsored the name of the first

respondent before sponsoring the said Shri R.Madhanagopal.

12. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the

direction of the Tribunal to reinstate the employee is against the decisions of

the Hon'ble Supreme court as held in the case of Jagbir Singh Vs. Haryana

State Agriculture Marketing Board and Anr. 2009-15-SCC- 327 which

reads as under:

“7. It is true that earlier view of this Court articulated in many decisions reflected the legal position that if the termination of an employee was found to be illegal, the relief of reinstatement with full back wages would ordinarily follow. However, in recent past, there has been a shift in the legal position and in long line of cases, this Court has consistently taken the view that relief by way of reinstatement with back wages is not automatic and may be wholly inappropriate in a given fact situation even though the termination of an employee is in

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

contravention to the prescribed procedure. Compensation instead of reinstatement has been held to meet the ends of justice. The said view has been relied upon by the Hon'ble SC in Senior Superintendent Telegraph (Traffic) Bhopal vs Santhosh kumar seal & others. CDJ 2010 SC 374,"

13. The first Respondent heavily relies on the findings of the Labour

Court without appreciating the catena of decisions upholding the

predominance of the service Rules over the provisions of the Industrial

Disputes Act. In the case of, The Director of Postal Services Vs. K.R.B.

Kaimal and Anr. (Full Bench); 1984 Labour and Industrial Cases, it was

held that:

“ We therefore hold that the writ petitioners are not entitled to invoke Section 33(c)(2) of the Ind Disputes Act, that the Tribunal constituted under the Act has to jurisdiction to consider this claim, that they are governed by Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965 and not by Chapter V-A of the Industrial Disputes Act and in reversal of the single Judge's judgment, allow the appeal and dismiss the original petition; but in the circumstances of the case.”

Before coming to the said conclusion, it was analysed the constitutional

provisions viz-a viz the provisions of the Industrial Act and the Service rules

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

applicable to the Government servants. Further, it examined the following

issues:

“The petitioners were governed by the Special Rules framed under

Article 309 of the Constitution, their services are liable to be terminated and

their monetary claim is limited under those rules and the Industrial Disputes

Act cannot be invoked in their case.

(a) Industrial Disputes Act will not apply to the area covered by the

rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution.

(b) The principle “Generalibus specialia derogant” applies and special

rules under Article 309 should prevail over the general provision under the

Industrial Disputes Act.

(c) The subsequent rules under Article 309 override the earlier

provision of the Industrial Disputes Act

(d) Section 33(c)(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act in its entirety cannot

apply to Government Servants and

(e) In any case, the Industrial Disputes Act in its entirety cannot apply

to all the Government Servants.

It was further held that where the conditions of service, the scale of pay

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

and the conduct rules regulating the service conditions are governed by the

statutory regulation, the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act are not

applicable and it is outside the jurisdiction of the Labour Courts acting under

the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

14. To conclude, the Hon'ble Labour Court erred in directing to

reinstate the first respondent which is against the findings of the Hon'ble

Supreme Court as held in the case of Himachal Road Transport

Corporation v Dineshkumar CDJ 1996 SC 1633 where it was held:

“In the absence of a vacancy it is not open to the Corporation to appoint a person to any post. It will be a gross abuse of the powers of a public authority to appoint persons when vacancies are not available... The Tribunal should only give a direction to the appropriate authority to consider the case of a particular applicant.... It is not open to the Tribunal either to direct the appointment of any person to a post or direct the authorities concerned to create supernumerary post and then appoint such a person to a post. We are of the view that directions given by the Administrative Tribunal are totally unauthorized and illegal”.

15. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the

recruitment rules are made by the government for all civil servants and the

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

scheme of regularization is not applicable to the first respondent and as he

was not sponsored by the Employment Exchange, he could not be considered

for further employment after his engagement was not renewed after

31.01.2001. Hence, he prayed for allowing this writ petition.

16. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent submitted

that after the termination of the first respondent on 31.01.2001, the petitioner

has appointed one Shri R.Madhanagopal as Animal Attendant with effect

from 23.02.2001, who is junior to the first respondent and he registered his

name in the Employment Exchange in the year 1994 under Registration

No.5599/1994, whereas, the first respondent has registered his name in the

Employment Exchange on 08.06.1993 itself and engaged as Daily Rated

Casual Labour with effect from 19.06.2000. Hence, it is crystal clear and

evident that Shri R. Madhanagopal is junior to the first respondent.

17. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent further

submitted that Section 25(G) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 has not

been complied by the petitioner herein. For better appreciation, Section 25

(G) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 is extracted hereunder:

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

“Where any workman in an Industrial Establishment who is a citizen of India, is to be retrenched and he belongs to a particular category of workman in that establishment, in the absence of any agreement between the employer and the workman in this behalf, the employer shall ordinarily retrench the workman who was the last person to be employed in that category unless for reasons to be recorded. The employer retrenches any other workman”.

18. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent drew the

attention of this Court to paragraph (5) of the claim statement and the same

reads as follows:

“While so, the petitioner submits that without any notice or opportunity to the petitioner and without assigning any reason the petitioner was not permitted to work and was refusd employment in February 2001, after he had worked until 31.01.2001. No written order of termination was issued to the petitioner. The petitioner was also not paid any retrenchment compensation. The petitioner further submits that certain other persons, namely, (i) Senthil Kumar (appointed on a date earlier to the petitioner) (ii) Madanagopal (appointed along with the applicant) (iii) Sasikumar (iv) Balaji and (v) Selvakumar ((iii) to (v) appointed subsequent to the petitioner as Casual Labour) are still retained and some of them have also been confirmed as Lab Peon. This is discriminatory.”

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

19. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent further drew

the attention of this Court to paragraph (7) of the counter statement before the

Industrial Tribunal/Labour Court and the same is extracted hereunder:

“7. As stated earlier, the petitioner's appointment as Casual Labourer was continued from time to time with periodical breaks based on the exigencies of work in this Laboratory. Subsequently, the petitioner's appointment as Casual Labourer was not extended beyond 31.01.2001 as there was no requirement of services of Casual Labourers in respect of the Section where the Petitioner was posted earlier. As regards the petitioner's averment that “No written order of termination was issued” to him, it is submitted that the petitioner was appointed as Casual Labourer and normally in this Laboratory, such daily rated Casual Labourers are appointed for a period of one month for carrying out work of casual and seasonal nature. Based on the exigencies of work, their appointments are continued for a further period of one month and they are informed accordingly. Hence, such appointments cease to exist on completion of the one month time and the same is extended only if there is any work of casual or seasonal nature. In the case of the petitioner, his appointment as Casual Labourer was not extended beyond 31.01.2001 due to the reasons mentioned earlier. As regards “retrenchment compensation” claimed by the petitioner, it is submitted that there is no provision for such compensation”.

20. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent further

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

submitted that as regards Shri R.Madhanagopal, it is submitted by the

petitioner that he was sponsored by the Employment Exchange and was

appointed as Daily Rated Casual Labourer w.e.f. 20.6.2000, consequent upon

his selection by the Departmental Selection Committee. It may be seen that

Shri R.Madhanagopal was appointed on the same date as that of the

Petitioner. Though the appointment of the Petitioner was not extended

beyond 31.1.2001, the appointment of Shri Madhana Gopal was extended as

his services were required in the Section, where he was working. Moreover,

Shri R.Madhanagopal was sponsored by the Employment Exchange, whereas

the Petitioner was not sponsored by the Employment Exchange.

Subsequently, Shri R.Madhanagopal was appointed as Laboratory Peon w.e.f.

26.06.2001.

21. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent further

submitted that as regards Shri B.Sasikumar, Shri R.Balaji and Shri

A.Selvakumar, it is submitted that Shri Sasikumar and Shri Balaji were

appointed as Laboratory Peons and Shri Selvakumar was appointed as

Animal Attendant. The Petitioner's contention that these individuals were

initially appointed as Casual Labourers is not true. These individuals were

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

sponsored by the Employment Exchange and their appointments were based

on the recommendations of the Departmental Selection Committee after the

mandatory interview for which they appeared along with other candidates

sponsored by the employment exchange for recruitment to the post of

Laboratory Peon and Animal Attendant.

22. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent further drew

the attention of this Court to the findings of the Labour Court. For better

appreciation, the relevant portion of the same is extracted hereunder:

“In this case, the petitioner contended that one Shri R.Madhanagopal, who was appointed along with him and Sasikumar, Balaji and Selvakumar who were appointed as Casual Labourers subsequent to his appointment, were retained in the lab and some of these persons have also been confirmed as lab peons. It is also contended on behalf of the Petitioner that it is in total violation of the provisions under Section 25 G of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. In this case, it is admitted by the Respondent that the Petitioner's service was not extended beyond 31.01.2001 and the reason stated for this is that there was no requirement of Casual Labour service in that section, where the Petitioner was posted. At the same time, it is the evidence of the Respondent side that the services of Madhanagopal were not extended beyond 22.02.2001 but however, Mr. Madhanagopal

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

was re-appointed as Lab Peon with effect from 26.06.2001. It is his further evidence that Mr. Madhanagopal's selection was made by the Departmental Selection Committee and only after an interview. But, I do not understand how the Departmental Selection Committee has made this selection of Mr. Madhanagopal, while his senior (Petitioner) was not called for the interview. The action of the Respondent/Management is in total violation of the provisions contained in Section 25G of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. If the management thinks any person as surplus, 'last come first go' principle ought to be followed. In this case, it is not the case of the Respondent that the juniors were retained on account of any special expertise, in fact, the Respondent has not given any reason at the time of non-

employment, for retaining the Petitioner's juniors namely, Madhanagopal and others while refusing employment to the Petitioner and therefore, non- employment is in total violation of the provisions contained in Section 25G of the Industrial Disputes Act. Therefore, the non- employment of the Petitioner is illegal.”

23. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials

available on record.

24. In the present case on hand, the first respondent was engaged as

Casual Labour on 19.06.2000 at the rate of Rs.73/- per day for the days he

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

worked as Daily Rated Casual Labourer and subsequently, it was extended

upto 31.01.2001 and after that, his engagement was not extended. The

services of the first respondent was not extended for the reason that his

services was not required in the section, where he was engaged as a Daily

Rated Casual Labourer. On perusal of the records, it can be seen that the

services of one Shri R.Madhanagopal, whose services was not extended and

junior to first respondent was subsequently appointed on 23.02.2001 as

Animal Attendant by order dated 22.03.2001 with the pay scale of Rs.2550/-

per month and his probation for a period of 2 years from the date of his

appointment. Then on 20.06.2001 Shri R.Madhanagopal was appointed to

the post of Laboratory Peon with a pay of Rs.2550/- and will be on probation

for a period of two years from the date of his appointment.

25. The first respondent was not permitted to work beyond 31.01.2001,

but certain other persons viz., Senthil Kumar, Madhanagopal, Sasikumar,

Balaji and Selvakumar were retained and some of them are confirmed as Lab

Peon and among the said persons, Madhanagopal was appointed earlier to the

first respondent. Therefore, it is clear and evident that the first

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respondent is senior to Shri R.Madhanagopal since, the first respondent

was appointed on 19.06.2000, whereas Shri R.Madhanagopal was

appointed only on 20.06.2000. Therefore, there cannot be any dispute

with regard to the fact that the first respondent was appointed day

earlier to the appointment of Shri R.Madhanagopal and the said Shri

R.Madhanagopal is junior to the first respondent.

26. The appointment order of the first respondent dated 19.06.2000

was also marked as Ex.W.8 before the Labour Court, by which the first

respondent was also appointed as Daily Rated Casual Labour on the

Departmental Selection Committee. Ex.W.1, which was filed before the

Labour Court is the Employment Exchange Registration Card of the

first respondent dated 08.06.1993, whereas Ex.M.3 shows that Shri

R.Madhanagopal registered his name only in the year 1994 under the

registration No.5599/1994. Hence, it is clear that the first respondent has

registered his name in the Employment Exchange much earlier to the

said Shri R.Madhanagopal. Therefore, the Employment Exchange ought

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to have sponsored the name of the first respondent, before sponsoring

the name of Shri R.Madhanagopal.

27. The first respondent is a “workman”, within the meaning of

Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The writ petitioner herein

falls within the meaning of “Industry” under Section 2 (j) of the Industrial

Disputes Act, 1947, because the Management Witness categorically

admitted before the Labour Court that the petitioner laboratory is

carrying on manufacturing process and they also do supply and

distribution of vaccine. The Labour Court has correctly held that the

petitioner is an “Industry”. In the award of the Labour Court, the

Management witness stated that the services of Shri R.Madhanagopal were

not extended beyond 22.02.2001 and he was re-appointed as Lab Peon with

effect from 26.06.2001. However, Ex.M.3 dated 23.02.2001 would clearly

show that Shri R.Madhanagopal was appointed as Animal Attendant with

effect from 23.02.2001 and as Lab Peon with effect from 26.06.2001.

Therefore, it is clear that when the first respondent was not allowed to

continue beyond 31.01.2001, Shri R.Madhanagopal was allowed to continue

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

as Casual Labourer till 22.02.2001 and he was continued as Animal

Attendant from 23.02.2001 and as Lab Peon from 26.06.2001. Therefore, he

was continued in service without any break, whereas the first respondent,

who is senior to Shri R.Madhanagopal was not permitted to work beyond

31.01.2001.

28. The first respondent and Shri R.Madhanagopal were initially

appointed in the same category of “Daily Rated Casual Labourer” and they

belonged to the “same category” as mentioned in Section 25(G) of the

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Therefore, the termination of the services of

the first respondent when his juniors have been retained is an violation of

Section 25(G) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and the Labour Court has

correctly held so. The reason given by the petitioner for terminating the

services of the first respondent is that “there was no requirement of

services of Casual Labourers in respect of the section where the first

respondent was posted earlier. Likewise the reason given for retaining

the said Shri R.Madhanagopal beyond 31.01.2001 is that his services

were required in the section where he was working is not sustainable for

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

the reason that according to M.W.1, the entire lab is a single unit and for

the purpose of seniority it is considered as a single unit.

29. Hence, the Labour Court has correctly held that the petitioner

is an “Industry” within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

and that as per Section 25(G) of the Act “Last come first go” should be

followed while retrenching the workman and in this case, the first

respondent's services were terminated when his juniors were retained

and therefore, the termination is invalid in Law. Therefore, the first

respondent is entitled to get relief of the reinstatement as rightly held by

the Labour Court.

30. It is a well settled law that under Article 226 of the Constitution of

India, this Court cannot interfere with the findings/award of the Labour Court

unless the same is perverse, arbitrary, unsustainable and illegal in the face of

law.

31. Hence, this Court is of the considered view that there is no

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11698 of 2004

infirmity or perversity in the award passed by the Labour Court in I.D.No.63

of 2002 dated 08.12.2003, holding that the petitioner is an Industry within a

meaning of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and that as per Section 25(G) of the

Act “ Last come first go” should be followed while retrenching the workman

and the first respondent is entitled for reinstatement.

32. The award passed by the Labour Court in I.D.No.63 of 2002 dated

08.12.2003 is hereby confirmed.

33. In the result, this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs.




                                                                   01.06.2023

                    vm
                    Index      :           Yes/No
                    Speaking Order         :    Yes/No




                    To:

                       The Presiding Officer,




https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
                                                           W.P.No.11698 of 2004

                       Central Government Industrial
                       Tribunal – cum – Labour Court,
                       26, Haddows Road, Shastri Bhavan,
                       Chennai – 600 006.






https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
                                                              W.P.No.11698 of 2004




                                         J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD,J.

                                                                              vm




                                       W.P.No.11698 of 2004




                                                                    01.06.2023






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