M. Katju, J. - (1.) Petitioner No. 1 is an Association of employees of Uttar Kashi district and petitioners 2 and 3 are registered unions of employees of the Education Department and District Courts. It is alleged that on 20.10.91 there was an earthquake in Uttar Kashi due to which there was wide scale devastation and loss of life and property.
(2.) The petitioners went on strike alleging that there was no justification in giving relief to others and not to the employees of the State Government. The State Government had introduced certain relief measure and in the petitioners allege that they have been discriminated against as they and their families are suffering but were not given the benefit of these measures.
(3.) It has been alleged in paragraphs 11 to 13 of the writ petition that they withdrew their strike on being given assurance that there will be no arrest and prosecution and no punitive action would be taken. In paragraph 12 of the writ petition it has been alleged that the Commissioner decided that the petitioners shall be given pay as advance for the strike period. In paragraph 16 it is alleged that to the surprise of the petitioners, the District Magistrate has sent a radiogram addressed to respondent No. 3 directing that the amount paid to the petitioners for the period when they were on strike will be recovered from their salaries. True copy of the radiogram is Annexure 5 to the writ petition. It is alleged that action of the respondents is arbitrary and illegal.;