Calcutta High Court (Appellete Side)
Khadki vs Ammunition Factory Kamgar on 16 June, 2025
16th June, 2025
(D/L No.9)
Ct. No.4
(SKB)
W.P.C.T.86 of 2025
The General Manager, Ammunition Factory,
Khadki,Pune, Maharashtra-411003
Versus
Ammunition Factory Kamgar
Sanghathana and others
Mr. Ajay Chowbey,
Ms. Amrita Pandey,
Mr. Ghanshyam Pandey
....for the petitioner.
Mr. Tanuj Kakrania,
Mr. Sagnik Mukherjee
for the respondents.
1. Affidavit-of-service is filed showing service upon the respondents. The same is taken on record.
2. Respondent nos.1, 2, 5 and 6 are represented by learned counsel, Mr. Tanuj Kakrania. Respondent no.4 is unrepresented in spite of valid service. The respondent nos.7 to 12 are proforma respondents.
3. The writ petition has been filed alleging that the Central Administrative Tribunal, Kolkata Bench (in short 'Tribunal') has disposed of the Original Application, filed on 23.09.2021, five days thereafter on 28.09.2021. The Tribunal has disposed of the OA without giving any opportunity to the present writ petitioner/respondent before the Tribunal of filing a reply or ensuring representation 2 in the proceedings. Issue of jurisdiction was also raised.
4. The learned counsel for the respondent no.1, on the other hand, submits that notice was served in advance at the time of filing. The petitioner chose not to appear, when the matter was taken up on 28th September, 2021. The petitioner is thus precluded from contending that opportunity was not given to the petitioner.
5. A bare perusal of the order passed by the Tribunal in O.A. No.1527 of 2021 on 28.09.2021 reveals that on the very first day, when the matter was listed, the Tribunal has proceeded to dispose of the Original Application.
6. We find that without allowing any opportunity to the respondents for ensuring appearance, as the matter had just been filed on 23.09.2021, the Tribunal has proceeded to dispose of the application on 28.09.2021.
7. In such view of the matter, the court is of the prima facie opinion that the order was unsustainable.
8. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the respondent no.1 submits that the order only directs the present petitioner who was respondent no.2 before the Tribunal to consider the claim of the writ petitioner with regard to the benefits of overtime 3 allowance being included amongst the various other allowances, w.e.f. 2006.
9. Since there was no mandatory direction upon the respondents, they ought to have complied with the same when the order was brought to their notice by the applicants/respondents.
10. The learned counsel for the petitioner responds by submitting that such directions for consideration have been given in paragraph 5 of the impugned order passed by the Tribunal. However, in paragraph 6, mandatory directions have been issued for releasing the dues in favour of the members of the Union. Such mandatory directions are unsustainable having been passed in violation of the principles of natural justice, without even giving any opportunity of appearance to the present writ petitioner in the proceedings before the Tribunal.
11. On consideration of the rival submissions, we find that the prime concern of the applicant/respondent is consideration of his claim by the respondents.
12. The writ petitioner's only objection is regarding the directions contained in paragraph 6 of the impugned order. We thus modify the order of the Tribunal dated 28.09.2021 to the extent that the present writ petitioner would not be under any 4 liability or obligation to release the dues in terms of the directions passed in paragraph 6 of the order passed by the Tribunal, unless they have found the applicants to be entitled to such benefits in accordance with law. If, however, the authorities are of the view that the applicants/respondents are not entitled to any benefit, it will be open to the applicants/respondents to assail such order before a forum of competent jurisdiction.
13. In view of the modification, we extend the time for consideration by the writ petitioner to eight weeks from date.
14. The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly.
15. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all formalities.
(Madhuresh Prasad, J.) (Supratim Bhattacharya, J.)