JUDGEMENT
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(1.) By a notification dated 16.6.2006 the Appropriate Government referred an
industrial dispute for its adjudication to the Labour Court, Bhilwara in
the terms that "Whether termination of the workman Rajesh Joshi S/o. Shri
Om Prakash Joshi, resident of 223-A, Kashipuri, Bhilwara (Raj.) by his
employer M/s. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, B-2, Mahalaxmi Chamber,
Bhula Bhai Desai Road, Mumbai (Maharashtra) 400 026 from service w.e.f.
16.6.2005 is just and valid? If not, then for what relief the workman is entitled -
(2.) The workman submitted a statement of claim before the Labour Court on 19.10.2006 with assertion that being appointed as Medical Representative, he entered in service of the employer M/s. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
Limited on 17.6.1999 and was promoted as Field Sales Officer on
24.4.2000. He was discontinued from service w.e.f. 16.6.2005 without adhering the procedure prescribed under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
(hereinafter referred to as 'the Act of 1947'). A copy of notice as well
as statement of claim was sent to the employer at the given address but
no one appeared on its behalf, despite service. The Labour Court, thus,
on 19.10.1996 decided to proceed ex-parte. The Labour Court after
examining the evidence adduced by the respondent-workman arrived at a
conclusion that discontinuation from service in question amounts to
retrenchment and that was effected without adhering the mandatory
condition precedent to do so as prescribed under Section 25-F of the Act
of 1947, thus, the workman is entitled for re-instatement in service with
50% of the back-wages accrued.
(3.) After passing of the Award and its publication, an application on 21.10.2008 was filed by the employer as per provisions of Rule 22-A of the Rajasthan Industrial Dispute Rules, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as
'the Rules of 1958') to set aside the ex-parte Award. The Labour Court on
22.1.2009 dismissed the application being not filed within a period of 30 days from the date of Award. Being aggrieved by the same, the
employer-appellant/petitioner preferred a petition for writ, that came to
be dismissed by the judgment impugned dated 19.3.2014. The learned Single
Bench while dismissing the writ petition held that the notices issued to
the firm sent through the Registered Post were served upon it but without
any sufficient cause, no one appeared before the Labour Court, hence no
reason exists to set aside the Award. The learned Single Bench looking to
this factual background refused to interfere with the order passed by the
Labour Court.;
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