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Delhi District Court

Sh. B.K. Pandey vs The on 31 July, 2018

         IN THE COURT OF SH. RAKESH KUMAR­I 
          PRESIDING OFFICER LABOUR COURT­X
              DWARKA COURTS, NEW DELHI.

                                  Ref. No. : F­24(1795)/06/Lab./5010­14
                                                     Dated : 06.12.2007
                                                         I.D no. 1884/16

Sh.  B.K. Pandey 
S/o Sh. Bhagwat Pandey
Represented  by Hotel Mazdoor Union (Regd.),
167, Panchkuin Road, New Delhi.
Also at:­ 136, LIG Flat, Sarita Vihar
New Delhi­110044.                                     ........ Workman.

                                  VERSUS

The Managements:­ 
(1). M/s Tirupathi Drinks (P) Ltd.,
     E­32, Okhla Industrial Area,
     Phase II, New Delhi - 20.

(2).  M/s Jai Drinks (P) Ltd., 
      52, Janpath, Connaught Place,
      New Delhi - 1.                                     .... Managements.
 

                            Date of Institution of the case       :  22.12.2007
                          Date on which Award is passed     :  31.07.2018
                                                                                  

­:A W A R D:­
             The   workman   named   above   raised   an   industrial   dispute
before the Labour Department against the termination of his services
by the management claiming that his services have been terminated
by   the   management   illegally   and   unjustifiably   and   the   appropriate

     I.D.No 1884/2016                            Page No.1 out of 23
 Government   on   being   satisfied   with   regard   to   existence   of   an
industrial   dispute   between   the   parties,   referred   the   dispute   to   the
Court   for   adjudication   under   Section   10   (I)   (c)   and   12   (5)   of   the
Industrial   Disputes   Act   vide   order   no.:Ref.   No.   :  F­24(1795)/06/
Lab./5010­14  dated:   06.12.2007   with   the   following   terms   of
reference:­  
                    "Whether services of Sh. B. K. Pandey S/o
                    Sh.   Bhagwat   Pandey   have   been
                    terminated under the garb of transfer from
                    Delhi   to   Jaipur   illegally   and/or
                    unjustifiably by the management and if so,
                    to what sum of money as monetary relief
                    along with other consequential benefits in
                    terms   of   existing   Laws/Govt.   Notification
                    and  to  what   other   relief   is  he  entitled  to
                    and what other directions are necessary in
                    this respect?" 
              Fresh reference was received in the matter on 22.12.2007
and thereafter, the notice was issued to the workman. Statement of
claim was filed by the workman, in which it is stated by the workman
that   the   workman   was   appointed   with   the   management   no.1   M/s
Tirupati Drinks Pvt Ltd, as a helper since 23.012.2000 and his last
drawn monthly wages was Rs. 3300/­ P.M. at the time of his illegal
termination on 27.12.2005. The workman almost used to do his job 12
to 16 hours daily but nothing has been paid for his extra job of the


     I.D.No 1884/2016                                 Page No.2 out of 23
 management.     It   is   claimed   that   at   the   time   of   joining,   the
management   no.1   obtained   his   signature   on   some   blank   papers/
performa as well as printed papers. It is claimed that the management
has not issued appointment letter and other service benefits to the
workman despite repeated requests. When the workman demanded
the same, the management became annoyed with the workman. It is
claimed   that   managements   are   the   same   as   management   no.2   is
distributor of management no.1 and governed by the same governing
body. The employees of both the managements are transferable from
one   management   to   another.   It   is   claimed   that   the   workman   was
working   honestly   and   there   was   no   complaint   against   him.   The
management terminated the services of the workman who is unskilled
labourer.     He   was   transferred   illegally   and   unlawfully   in   revengeful
manner   vide   letter   dated   19.12.2005   to  M/s   Tripati   Drinks   Pvt   Ltd.
Tonk Road, Gopalpura, near Flyover Jaipur with direction to join his
duty   there   and   report   to   one   Shri   Anand   Kumar   on   27.12.2005
whereas there was no such unit as stated above and accordingly the
workman   reported   on   27.12.2005   for   his   duty   but   it   was   the
management   who   refused   to   allow   him   on   duty   and   thereby
terminated the services of the workman without giving any notice or
notice   pay   and   compensation.   The   workman   sent   letter   through
registered post to the management on 27.12.2005 but they did not
accept   the   same.   The   workman   used   to   visit   the   management   till
20.02.2006 and marked his duty but the management had not paid
the salary.  It is claimed that the workman sent a demand notice to the


     I.D.No 1884/2016                               Page No.3 out of 23
 workman for reinstatement but of no use. It is claimed that before the
termination   of   the   services,   there   was   a   case   of   general   and
regularization   of   service   of   the   workman   was   pending   before   the
Conciliation Officer. He approached to the Labour Commissioner for
his   illegal   termination   and   matter   was   referred   to   the   Conciliation
Officer who summoned the management but the matter could not be
settled.   Accordingly   the   present   claim.   It   is   claimed   that   since   the
termination of his services by the management, he is unemployed.  


             Notice of the claim was issued to the management no.1.
Management   no.1   appeared   and   filed   written   statement   stating
therein that the management no.1 had never terminated the services
of the workman as otherwise alleged by him. It is submitted that the
workman had been transferred to Jaipur vide order dated 19.12.2005
on account of some serious exigencies of work. It is submitted that
the   workman   was   transferred   along   with   42   other   workmen.   It   is
submitted that the transfer was in perfect consonance with the terms,
which   the   workmen   had   willingly   accepted   vide   its   contract   of
employment.     It   is   submitted   that   after   the   transfer   to   Jaipur,   the
workman   was   again   called   upon   vide   letter   dt.   31.01.2006   for
resumption of duty at Jaipur but the same again proved to be exercise
in futility.   It is submitted that while replying the demand notice the
management once again called upon the workman for resumption of
his duty at Jaipur but all in vain. However, as a gesture of goodwill
and in keeping with their bonofidies, in case the workman is genuinely


     I.D.No 1884/2016                                Page No.4 out of 23
 interest to resume work at its establishment at Delhi from where his
services were transferred, he may approach the management. The
respondent   management,   however,   reserves   its   right   to   initiate

appropriate disciplinary  action against  the workman.  It is  submitted that   there   is   no   relationship   between   answering   management   and respondent   no.2   as   alleged   by   petitioner   workman.   The   answering management is an independent entity registered under the Company Act, 1956 and solely and exclusively responsible for its affairs. It is submitted that the order of transfer had directed the workman to join at Jaipur w.e.f. 27.12.2005 and thus in every view he was expected to report   at   Jaipur   Office   and   not   at   Delhi   and   by   any   stretch   of imagination   the   same   cannot   be   construed   as   termination   as maliciously suggested by workman. It is submitted that the answering management.   through   the   union   had   carried   out   full   and   final settlement  of  all  the workmen  barring only   two  workmen  out  of  43 workmen, who were not inclined to go to Jaipur and instead opted for an amicable full and final settlement. In the settlements entered into by the union with the other 41 workmen and Tirupati Drinks Pvt Ltd during the course of cancellations proceedings the union undertook to withdraw   all  the  complaints/   disputes   and   rising   of   disputes   by   the union on behalf of the workman, now is illegal. The entire contents of statement of claim is denied by the management. It is submitted that workman   is   gainfully   employed   and   is   deliberately   concealing   this factum from the court. 

Notice of the claim was issued to the management no.2.

I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.5 out of 23

Management   no.2   appeared   and   filed   written   statement   stating therein that the management no.2 is franchise of Pepsi Food Pvt. Ltd which is a Multi­national company. The management no.1 is another separate   company   registered   under   the   Companies   Act,   1956   and has   a   separate   constitution   and   is   a   different   independent management and independently registered under Income Tax, Sale Tax, PF, ESI etc and has no link with M/s Jai Drinks Pvt Ltd. It is submitted   that   the   workman   was   never   employed   by   management no.2   and   there   is   no   nexus   between   the   management   no.2   and management no.1. Accordingly, there is no relationship of master and servant between the management no.2 and workman. The workman has   deliberately,   maliciously   and   unnecessarily   dragged   the management no.2 into this matter. It is submitted that the workman was actually employed by management no.1 and as such directed, administered and controlled by management no.1. It is submitted that on   inquiry   it   came   to   know   that   the   workman   along   with   other   42 workmen were transferred by management no.1 and ultimately all 41 workmen   have   settled   the   matter   during   the   course   of   conciliation proceedings except the present workman. It is submitted that if in the case like the present one, one company is held responsible for the act of the other company and dragged into the present kind of litigation, then the very purpose of the concerned legislation will be defeated and the process of law shall be abused more often. It is submitted that I.D No.155/03/2006 is pending adjudication before the court of Sh. Lal Singh,   the   Ld.   Presiding   Officer   of   Industrial   Tribunal   no.1   at I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.6 out of 23 Karkardooma, the delinquent workmen were seeking liberty to adduce evidence to prove that the management no.1 and 2 are one and same and in that dispute also both the managements are maintaining the same stand regarding the relationship of the delinquent workmen. It is submitted   that   the   statement   of   claim   is   liable   to   be   dismissed   as against the answering management in the light of the judgment/order in CM (m) 1510/2007 titled as Tirupati Drinks Pvt Ltd vs Workmen Through   General   Mazdoor   Trade   Union   and   another   decided   by Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dt. 16.07.2008 wherein it has specifically held that while deciding the issue on similar lines as to "whether the two firms viz Tirupati Drinks Pvt Ltd and Jai Drinks Pvt Ltd; are one and the same" it was held that the issue does not arise and is not to be   adjudicated   upon   by   the   Industrial   Tribunal   since   this   issue   is neither referred nor can be adjudicated upon; therefore this Court is to adjudicate the issues in the present case, as per the schedule of the terms   of   reference   dated   17.12.2007,   referred   by   the   appropriate authority of Govt. of NCT of Delhi through Labour Dept and no relief can be granted in favour of the delinquent workman.

The workman filed the rejoinder to the written statement of the   management   no.1   in   which   the   objection/claim   taken   by   the management   no.1   has   been   strongly   controverted   and   denied   and averments   as   raised   in   the   statement   of   claim   re­asserted   and reiterated.

I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.7 out of 23

From   the   pleadings   of   the   parties   following   issues   were framed in the present matter on 03.06.2009:­

(i) Whether   the   workman   has   himself   left   the   job   by   not joining the duties in pursuance of the transfer order as alleged by management no.1?

(ii) Whether   there   is   no   relationship   of   employer   and employee between th workman and management no.1?

        (iii)     As per terms of reference. 
        (iv)      Relief. 


No other issues arose or pressed for and matter was listed for WE.

In   support   of   his   claim,   workman   examined   himself   as WW1.  He relied upon documents Exts. WW1/1 to WW1/4 and Mark A to C on record. 

Witness was cross examined by the managements no. 1 & 2 wherein he deposed that he knew the contents of his affidavit, which had   been   drafted   at   his   instance.   He   was   the   employee   of   the managements.  He denied the suggestion that he had been employed by management no.1 and not by the management no.2.   He denied the suggestion that he had been issued an appointment letter by the management no.1 and which had been received by him.  He had not been provided with any facilities like ESI, EPF by the management.

I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.8 out of 23

He denied the suggestion that his services had not been terminated by   the   management   no.1.   He   denied   that   he   had   not   joined   his services at Jaipur. He voluntarily stated that there was no office there when he had reported there. He denied that he had been transferred on 19.12.2005.  He admitted that he was asked to report at Jaipur on 27.12.2005.  He  voluntarily  deposed that  he  had  received  the  letter dated 19.12.2005 subsequently and, therefore, he had not reported at Jaipur   on   27.12.2005.   He   voluntarily   deposed   that   he   had   no information of the said direction.  He had gone to Jaipur in the month of January, 2006 when he had received information.  He had not met anybody there since there was no office there.  He denied that there was direction to him to report to one Sh. Anand Kumar at Jaipur vide letter dated 19.12.2005.  He denied that the management had opened a   new   factory   at   Jaipur   for   which   certain   old   employees   were transferred from Delhi to Jaipur or that he had been transferred from Delhi to Jaipur on this account. He denied that he had not reported at Jaipur   when   required   and   had   reported   there   when   there   was   no requirement.  He denied that when there was no more requirement of his services at Jaipur the management had offered him employment at Delhi and he had not joined. He denied that the management had offered him to join his services with the management at Delhi during the   pendency   of   the   case.   When   the   witness   was   questioned   that whether he was willing to join the services with the management he answered  that  there  is  no management  today.     The  managements have   closed   down.   He   denied   that   the   managements   are   still I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.9 out of 23 functioning and are not closed down.   He denied that he has got no proof   in   respect   of   the   closure   of   the   managements.     He   was   not having   any   document   to   show   that   he   was   receiving   salary   from management no.2. He admitted that his subscriptions toward ESI and PF were being made by the management no.1.   He denied that the workman   Khushid   Alam   was   earlier   the   employee   of   management no.2   and   after   taking   full   and   final   settlement,   he   had   joined management   no.1.   He   denied   that   he   was   gainfully   employed subsequent to his alleged termination of services as also today. His family comprises of six persons including himself. He was living jointly along with his brothers. He had tried to search for employment but had not obtained employment. He could not specify as to where he had searched for employment.   He denied that he had not   tried to search   for   employment   subsequent   to  his   alleged   termination.     He denied that he could have easily got a job with his experience. 

Thereafter WE was closed and matter was listed for ME.

  In support of its claim, management examined  MW1 Sh. Ashwani Kumar Singh.   He relied upon documents Exts. MW1/1 to MW1/5 on record. 

Witness was cross examined by the workman wherein he deposed   that   management   M/s   Tirupati   Drinks   Pvt.   Ltd.   was distributor   of   M/s   Jai   Drinks   Pvt.   Ltd.     He   denied   that   both   the managements are one and the same.  Salary of the employees of the management M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt. Ltd. is increased at the time of notification   by   the   Government   in   respect   of   the   minimum   wages I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.10 out of 23 payable to them. The management was paying HRA and commission to   the   employees   apart   from   minimum   wages.   He   denied   that appointment letter had not been issued to the workman. He denied that the appointment letter Ex.MW1/5  is not bearing the signature of the workman on the same or that the same is a false and fabricated document.    He could not say  whether  the workman had  asked for increase in his salary or not. He denied that the management had terminated   the   services   of   the   workman   on   account   of   a   ill   will because of alleged demand by the workman for increase in his salary and incentive. He admitted that the management had transferred the services of 42 employees including the workman. He admitted that the   workman   was   employed   at   the   post   of   helper   with   the management.   The  work   of   helper   is   to  carry   the  cases   of   the  soft drinks from vehicle to the shops and vice­versa.  He denied that it is not a specialized duty since it required expert handling by the helper so   that   the   cases   do   not   fall   down   and   the   bottles   made   of   glass broken. No training has been given to the workman in this regard but his experience is required.  He denied that the work of helper can be performed   by   any   common   person.     The   exigency   of   service   for transferring the services of the workman to the place as mentioned in the   transfer   letter   in   respect   of   the   workman   Ex.MW1/1   was   that business opportunity had arisen to the management at the said place. The   management   was   not   having   trained   helper   at   the   place   of transfer viz. Jaipur.  The transfer of the workman was effected under the terms of his employment with the management vide appointment I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.11 out of 23 letter   Ex.MW1/5   in   his   respect.   He   denied   that   the   transfer   of   the workman in the post of helper could not have been effected by the management under the appointment letter. The workman was being paid as per the minimum wages as applicable to them.  He could not say   whether   the   rates   of   minimum   wages   are   less   at   Jaipur   than Delhi.  He could not say whether the salary of Rs. 3,350/­ per month to the workman was sufficient for his livelihood at Jaipur  and Delhi or not.  He denied that transfer of the workman from Delhi to Jaipur was malafide. He denied that traveling allowance had not been given to the   workman   pursuant   to   the   transfer   order.   He   denied   that   the complete address of the place of transfer had not been mentioned in the transfer order given to the workman. He denied that the same had not been mentioned deliberately by the management in the same.  He could   not   recollect   the   exact   address   of   place   of   transfer   but   he denied   that   he   was   not   able   to   tell   the   exact   address   of   place   of address since there was no such address.   He voluntarily deposed that address of the place of  transfer of the workman  is mentioned in the transfer order.  The management M/s Jai Drinks Pvt. Ltd. of which they were the distributor was functioning at the place of transfer.  He could not say as to how many employees had joined at the place of transfer   consequent   to   their   transfer   by   the   management.     He admitted that the except for two employees all the other employee who   had   been   transferred   have   settled   their   dues   with   the management.  He could not say as to when the settlement has been affected   between   the   said   employees   and   the   management.     He I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.12 out of 23 denied   that   the   management   has   retrenched   the   services   of   any employee   either   in   the   year   2005   or   2011.   He   denied   that   the management is in the habit of changing its name and dispensing with the services of its employees. The management M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt. Ltd.is not functioning since December, 2009.   There is no staff with   the   management   as   on   today.     There   is   not   even   a   helper employed with the management as on today. He denied that  he had filed   a   false  affidavit   by   way   of   evidence   or   that   he  was   deposing falsely being the Director of the management. Thereafter, M.E. was closed and matter was fixed for final arguments. 

  The management no.2 has examined one witness namely Sh.   Ranjan   George   as   MW­2,   who   in   his   examination­in­chief tendered   by   way   of   affidavit   Ex.MW2/A   has   stated   that   the management   no.1   is   a   separate   company   registered   under   the companies   act   and   has   a   separate   constitution   and   is   a   different independent   management   than   the   management   no.2   and   it   is independently  registered under  Income Tax,.  Sales  Tax,  PF & ESI and has no link with management no.2 and the working between two separate   establishment   was   solely   on   the   basis   of   principle   to principle.     The   company   has   separate   legal   entity.   The   copies   of Memorandum and Articles of Association of both the companies are Ex.MW2/1   &   Ex.MW2/2   respectively.   The   workman   was   never employed by management no.2 M/s Jai Drinks Pvt. Ltd. and as such there is no relationship of master and servant between the workman I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.13 out of 23 and Management of Jai Drinks Pvt. Ltd.  The claimant at the behest of Hotel's Worker Union, has deliberately, maliciously and unnecessarily dragged   the   management   no.2   into   this   matter.     In   fact   he   was actually employed with the management no.1.   

During cross examination he stated that the management was   having   its   depot/office   at   E­32  Okhla   Industrial   Area,   Delhi   till 2009 and the management no.1 i.e. M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt, Ltd. was also   having   its   depot   at   the   said   premises.     He   denied   that   the entrance   of   both   the   managements   at   the   said   premises   was   the same   or   that   the   management   was   the   main   distributor   of   PEPSI Cola. He denied that M/s Jai Drinks Pvt. Ltd. is the principal employer of M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt. Ltd. or that M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt. Ltd was a contractor of M/s Jai Drinks Pvt. Ltd.  

  I   have   perused   the   entire   record.   I   have   heard   the submission of the AR of the workman and the management. My issue wise findings are as under:­ For   the   sake   of   convenience,   I   shall   proceed   to   decide issue No.II first, prior to issue no.1.

 ­: ISSUE No.II :­ Whether   there   is   no   relationship   of employer   and   employee   between   the I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.14 out of 23 workman and management no.1?

Perusal of the record reveals that in this case there are two managements i.e. management  no.1 is  M/s Tirupati Drinks (P) Ltd. and management no.2 is M/s Jai Drinks (P) Ltd.

In   its   entire   Written   Statement,   no   where   the management no.1 has claimed that there is no relationship of employer   and   employee   between   the   workman   and management   no.1,   rather,   admittedly   the   claimant   was   the employee   of   management   no.1   and   management   no.1   had issued the transfer order to him to join his duty at Jaipur.   In view   of   the   aforesaid   it   can   not   be   said   that   there   is   no relationship of employer and employee between management no.1 and the workman.

However,   it   is   seen   from   the   record   that management no.2 has taken the objection that the workman was   never   employed   by   management   no.2   and   there   is   no nexus between the management no.2 and management no.1. Accordingly,   there   is   no   relationship   of   master   and   servant between the management no.2 and workman. 

  Perusal   of   the   record   reveals   that   in   its   Written Statement, the management no.2 has completely denied the employer and employee relationship between the claimant and management no.2 and admittedly, the workman was appointed with the management no.1 M/s Tirupathi Drinks (P) Ltd, as a helper on 23.12.2000 and his last drawn monthly wages was I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.15 out of 23 Rs. 3300/­ P.M.  In such circumstances, it is clear that there is employer   employee   relationship   between   the   workman   and management   no.2   and   as   such   no   liability   can   be   fastened upon the management no.2 i.e. M/s Jai Drinks (P) Ltd. 

Issue stands decided accordingly. 

Now I shall proceed to decided Issue No.1 & 3 together, as they are inter­related  ­: 

   ISSUE N    o    . I:­ "Whether the workman has himself left the job by not joining the duties in pursuance of the   transfer   order   as   alleged   by management no.1?" 
 ­: ISSUE No.III:­ "As per terms of reference." 

In this matter, following reference has been received for adjudication:­ "Whether services of Sh. B. K. Pandey S/o Sh.

Bhagwat   Pandey   have  been   terminated  under the garb of transfer from Delhi to Jaipur illegally and/or   unjustifiably   by  the  management   and  if so,   to   what   sum   of   money   as   monetary   relief along with other consequential benefits in terms of existing Laws/Govt. Notification and to what other   relief   is   he   entitled   to   and   what   other directions are necessary in this respect?"

I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.16 out of 23
In its written Statement, the Management no.1 M/s Tirupati Drinks has claimed that the workman had been transferred to Jaipur vide order dated 19.12.2005 on account of some serious exigencies of work, which was in perfect consonance with the terms, which the workmen   had   willingly   accepted   vide   its   contract   of   employment. Further   after   the  transfer   to  Jaipur,   the  workman  was   again   called upon vide letter dt. 31.01.2006 for resumption of duty at Jaipur but the same again proved to be exercise in futility.  Further while replying the demand notice the management once again call upon the workman for resumption of his duty at Jaipur but all in vain. The workman had been duly issued the appointment letter, which he had accepted of his free will and volition and after reading and understanding its clauses, he   had   accepted   the   same.   The   workman   enjoyed   all   the   legal benefits   to   which   he   had   valid   and   legal   entitlement.   Further   the management   through   the   union   had   carried   out   full   and   final settlement  of  all  the workmen  barring only   two  workmen  out  of  43 workmen, who were not inclined to go to Jaipur and instead opted for an   amicable   full   and   final   settlement.   The   order   of   transfer   had directed the workman to join at Jaipur w.e.f 27.12.2005 and thus in every view he was expected to report at Jaipur office and not at Delhi and by any stretch of imagination the same cannot be construed as termination as maliciously suggested by the petitioner workman. 
On  the  contrary,  the  workman  in his   Statement  of  claim has   categorically   stated   that   workman   was   appointed   with   the management   no.1   M/s   Tirupathi   Drinks   (P)   Ltd,   as   a   helper   on I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.17 out of 23 23.12.2000 and his last drawn monthly wages was Rs.3300/­ P.M. at the time of his illegal termination on 27.12.2005. Further management no.2 M/s Jai Drinks (P) Ltd. is the distributor of management no.1 and governed by the same governing body.   The employees of both the managements are transferable from one management to another. The workman was working honestly and there was no complaint against him.     Further   the   management,   who   with   intent   to   terminate   the services  of  the workman,  who  is  unskilled  labourer,  transferred  his services illegally and unlawfully in revengeful manner vide letter dated 19.12.2005 to M/s Tirupati Drinks Pvt. Ltd. Tonk Road, Gopalpura, near Flyover Jaipur with the directions to join his duty there and to report one Sh. Anand Kumar on 27.12.2005, whereas there was no such   unit   at   the   said   place.   The   workman   was   not   issued   any appointment   letter   at   the   time   of   his   initial   appointment   despite   of repeated requests and demand s for the same.   The management was not giving the benefits of services to the workman and it was the workman, who joined the workman Union and demanded benefits of his services and due to this reason the management was annoyed and workman  was   intimidated and  harassed.   The workman lodged the complaint with the Assistant Labour Commissioner, regarding his illegal,   unlawful   and   unjustifiable   termination   of   his   service   by   the management and the matter was referred to Conciliation Officer but in vain.  The workman reported for duty on 27.12.2005 as usual but he was refused to take on duty and it was said that the workman was transferred to Jaipur Unit of the company and he should go and join I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.18 out of 23 there.   Therefore   he   was   terminated   w.e.f.   27.12.2005   arbitrarily, malafidely and illegally when he was refused to take on duty on that day. 
During   the   course   of   arguments,   it   was   contended   on behalf   of   workman   that   there   is   no   service   condition   given   to   the workman that his services are transferable to outstation. It is claimed that in the transfer order the Tirupathi Drinks (P) Ltd. is opening a new unit at Tonk Road, Near Gopalpura, Flyover Crossing, Jaipur but the unit was not yet opened and as such he could not have transferred at all. No specific address was given and the whole stretch of place was given his new place of posting. The workman was transferred to an imaginary place at Jaipur to terminate him illegally under the guise of transfer. However, he went to Jaipur in his anxiety to join duty there but there was  no such office in the entire area and the place is a jungle   rarely   inhabited.   He   served   a   demand   notice   to   the management   thereby   asking   the   management   to   reinstate   him   in service with  full back  wages  and other consequential relief  but  the management   refused   to   budge.   The   workman   therefore   raised Industrial Dispute before the Conciliation Officer for his reinstatement but   no   settlement   could   be   arrived   there,   hence,   the   present complaint. 
According   to   the   management   M/s   Tirupati   Drinks   Pvt. Ltd., the workman was transferred to Jaipur in pursuant to one of the conditions   of   his   Appointment   Letter   Ex.MW1/5,   whereas   the workman in his statement of claim as well as evidence tendered by I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.19 out of 23 way of affidavit Ex.WW1/A has categorically stated that he was not issued   any   appointment   letter   by   the   management.   In   the circumstances, when the workman has denied of having received the Appointment Letter, onus is shifted upon the management to prove that the appointment letter was actually issued and received by the workman   and   also   to   prove   that   the   signature   of   workman   on appointed   Letter   Ex.MW1/5   actually   belongs   to   workman.   But   the management  has failed to do so.   No application for  obtaining  the specimen signature of workman or his hand writing for the relevant period has been moved on behalf of management to send them for the expert opinion to conclude that the signature on the appointment letter Ex.MW1/5 belongs to workman only.  In the absence of same, it can not be said that workman was actually issued any appointment letter and in such circumstances, it can not be said that workman was having  knowledge   about   the  clause   of   his   transfer   to  any   place   in India, of appointment letter Ex.MW1/5.
In his statement of claim as well as evidence by way of affidavit Ex.WW1/A, the workman has claimed that the workman was transferred to an imaginary place at Jaipur to terminate him illegally under the guise of transfer. However, he went to Jaipur in his anxiety to join duty there but there was no such office in the entire area and the   place   is   a   jungle   rarely   inhabited.   Hence,   the   deponent   was transferred   to   a   non­existing   office   only   to   wreck   vengeance   and terminate the workman illegally.
On   the   contrary,   the   management   no.1   has   led   no I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.20 out of 23 evidence on record in this regard.  No document in respect of opening of   new   unit   of   management   no.1   at   Tonk   Road,   Near   Gopalpura, Flyover   Crossing,   Jaipur,   in   the   form   of   incorporation   certification, Memorandum   and   Article   of   Association   of   Management   No.1   at Jaipur   etc.   has   been   placed   and   proved   on   record   by   the management   in   order   to   falsify   the   claim   of   workman   that   he   was transferred to an imaginary place at Jaipur.  
Admittedly,   the   workman   was   appointed   with   the management   no.1   M/s   Tripathi   Drinks   (P)   Ltd,   as   a   helper   on 23.12.2000  and  his   last   drawn  monthly   wages   was   Rs.   3300/­   per month and no show cause notice or charge sheet was ever issued by management no.1 in respect of the workman not appearing for his duty. It is also not disputed that no enquiry was conducted against the workman. The arbitrariness is an antithesis to the rule of law, equity and fare play  and the principle  of natural justice is  to be followed. Since no notice, notice pay, compensation or any other consequential benefits   were   given   to   the   workman   prior   to   termination   of   his services,   the   termination   of   the   services   of   the   workman   by   the management no.1 on 27.12.2005 is illegal and unjustified and in these circumstance it can not be said that the workman has himself left the job  by   not   joining   the  duties   in  pursuance  of   the  transfer   order   as alleged by management no.1.  Hence both the issues are liable to be decided   against   the   management   no.1   and   same   stand   decided accordingly.
  I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.21 out of 23
­:( RELIEF):­   In his statement of claim the workman has prayed for his reinstatement  with full back wages alongwith consequential benefits etc.   in   favour   of   workman   and   against   the   management   no.1   M/s Tripupati Drinks (P) Ltd. but in the considered opinion of the court this is not a fit case for the reinstatement, as a considerable period of time has been elapsed and the end of justice will be served if a lumpsum compensation is awarded to the workman instead of reinstatement, backwages, and other consequential benefits. Accordingly, in view of the above discussion and terms of reference, and keeping in view the tenure of service of the workman with the management and his last drawn salary a lumpsum compensation of Rs.1,38,000/­ (Rupees One Lakh Thirty Eight Thousand Only) is awarded to the workman instead of   reinstatement   and   backwages   and   other   consequential   benefits. The management is directed to pay the said compensation amount of Rs.1,38,000/­ (Rupees One Lakh Thirty Eight Thousand Only) to the workman within three months from the date of publication of award.  If the   management   failed   to   pay   the   said   amount   of   Rs.1,38,000/­ (Rupees   One   Lakh   Thirty   Eight   Thousand   Only)   to   the   workman within the stipulated period, the workman is at liberty to get recover the said compensation amount of Rs.1,38,000/­ (Rupees One Lakh Thirty   Eight   Thousand   Only)   from   the   management   along   with   an interest @ 7% p.a. from the date of passing of award till the date of recovery   of   the   amount   of   compensation.   The   award   is   passed accordingly and reference is answered accordingly. Requisite number I.D.No 1884/2016 Page No.22 out of 23 of   copies   of   this   award   be   sent   to   the   competent   authority   for necessary compliance. File be consigned to the Record Room.
Announced in the open  Court on 31.07.2018             (RAKESH KUMAR­I) Presiding Officer Labour Court­X                        Dwarka Courts, Delhi.   
Digitally signed by RAKESH
                                          RAKESH                  KUMAR
                                          KUMAR                   Date:
                                                                  2018.08.04
                                                                  15:47:58 +0530




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