- (1.) CIVIL Revision No. 2800 of 1960. Respondents Nos. 2 to 7 were at all material times, until their dismissal, workmen employed by Reforms Food Products (P) Ltd. , respondent No. 9. On and from November 16, 1957, the workmen of respondent No. 9 company resorted to a form of sitdown strike, so as to enforce some of their industrial grievances. During the continuance of this strike, the respondent No. 9 company declared a lock out, which continued till January 16, 1958.
(2.) ON November 17, 1957, the respondent no. 9 company served several charge-sheets on workmen respondent No. 2, 5 and 6, calling upon them to show cause against a number of misconducts mentioned in the charge-sheets and placed them under suspension. Similar charge-sheets were served on two other workmen also but I am not concerned with them in this Rule.
(3.) PENDING enquiry into the charges, respondents Nos. 2, 5 and 6 were charged with further misconducts along with respondents Nos. 3, 4 and 7 to the following effect: "it has been reported to us that on the 29th November, 1957, while our wheat products were being delivered to different customers under the permits of the West bengal Government, you, along with others, stopped some of the lorries carrying 'l' flour for Messrs. A. Firpo's Ltd. and told the Wheat Inspector of the Government of West Bengal that you would not allow the said delivery as the said goods were intended for black racketeering. You along with others also spread false rumour affecting the reputation of the company. This conduct on your part was highly subversive of discipline and detrimental to the relationship of master and servant. ";