- (1.) - The appellant in Civil Appeal No. 233/1989 was an employee of the Steel Authority of India. His service was terminated on 8 February, 1975. He approached the Labour Court which has directed his reinstatement by award dated 15 Jan., 1985. The reinstatement was ordered with full backwages. The management approached the High Court and the High Court has set aside the award by directing payment of compensation in lieu of reinstatement. The High Court has observed that since the management has'lost confidence with the appellant the reinstatement cannot be ordered.
(2.) The appellant has been awarded a sum of Rs. 1,20,000/- by way of compensation. The management being aggrieved by the quantum of compensation has preferred Civil Appeal No. 234/1989 and the employee seeking reinstatement or higher compensation has preferred appeal No. 233/1989. Both the appeals shall stand disposed of by his order.
(3.) We are not inclined to consider the question of reinstatement, firstly, in view of the fact that the employee is going to attain the age of superannuation on 31 May, 1991. Secondly, it is held by the High Court that the management has lost confidence with the employee since he was involved in criminal cases connected with certain misappropriation of funds. The reasons given by the High Court seem to be not irrelevant for not sustaining the award of reinstatement.;