IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.14 OF 2016
(Arising out of SLP (C) No. 13908/2013)
THE MANAGEMENT OF NARENDRA &
COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED … APPELLANT (S)
VERSUS
THE WORKMEN OF NARENDRA & COMPANY … RESPONDENT (S)
J U D G M E N T
KURIAN, J.:
Leave granted.
Short question is whether the respondents-workmen are entitled to the back
wages till the beginning of January, 1995 or till January, 1999. The Labour
Court, Bangalore by award dated 02.08.2002 directed reinstatement of the
workmen with 50 per cent back wages. That award was challenged by the
appellant before the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore by judgment dated
14.03.2008 in Writ Petition No. 41489 of 2002. Though the appellant
attacked the award on several grounds, the learned Single Judge declined to
interfere with the award on reinstatement. However, taking note of the fact
that the industry was virtually closed by the beginning of January, 1995,
it was ordered that the award on back wages would be limited to January,
1995. The learned Single Judge, in fact, had entered a finding in that
regard which reads as follows:
“From the record it shows that the industry was functioning till the
beginning of 1995 and the Union though has led the evidence but has not
proved as to whether the industry was functioning thereafter or not.”
In appeal, the Division Bench took the view that apart from the sole
evidence of MW-3, there was no other evidence on record to prove that the
industry was not functional after January, 1995. However, there was no
dispute with regard to the fact that the industry was closed, and
therefore, reinstatement was not possible. In that background, without any
further material available on record, the Division Bench took the view that
interest of justice would be met by extending the benefit of 50 per cent
back wages upto the end of January, 1999 and consequential benefits with
closure compensation as well as gratuity upto that date. We may extract the
relevant consideration by the Division Bench in the impugned judgment:
“… According to MW-3, the machines were operated only till the beginning of
January, 1995. However, to substantiate that contention, there is no
evidence on record. In the light of such evidence on record, it is not
possible to record a categorical finding that the industry was closed in
the year 1995 itself. Having regard to the fact that the industry was
closed, the order of re-instatement has been set aside by the learned
single Judge and the workmen were entitled to retrenchment compensation and
only 50% back wages is awarded, we are of the view that justice would be
met by extending the benefit of 50% back wages upto the end of January 1999
and they are also entitled to consequential benefits with closure
compensation as well as gratuity upto that date. …”
Once the learned Single Judge having seen the records and come to the
conclusion that the industry was not functioning after January, 1995, there
is no justification in entering a different finding without any further
material before the Division Bench. The appellate bench ought to have
noticed that the statement of MW-3 is itself part of the evidence before
the Labour Court. Be that as it may, in an intra-court appeal, on a finding
of fact, unless the appellate Bench reaches a conclusion that the finding
of the Single Bench is perverse, it shall not disturb the same. Merely
because another view or a better view is possible, there should be no
interference with or disturbance of the order passed by the Single Judge,
unless both sides agree for a fairer approach on relief.
When the matter came up before this Court on 08.07.2013, the Court directed
the appellant to file an affidavit indicating the actual year of closure of
the industry so as to determine the question as to from what date
retrenchment compensation should be paid to the workmen. Accordingly,
affidavit dated 11.07.2013 was filed wherein it is clearly stated that the
industry became non-functional by the beginning of January, 1995 and
remained defunct thereafter. In the counter affidavit filed by the
respondent-workmen also, there is nothing to establish that the industry
was functioning thereafter.
Hence, the order for payment of back wages beyond January, 1995 is vacated,
and in all the other aspects, the order passed by the Division Bench is
retained. In case, the workmen have not been paid the benefits which they
are entitled to, the same shall be paid within a period of three months
from today, failing which, the respondent-workmen shall be entitled to
interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum.
The appeal is partly allowed as above. There shall be no order as to costs.
………………………………………………J.
(KURIAN JOSEPH)
…………………………………………………………J.
(ROHINTON FALI NARIMAN)
New Delhi;
JANUARY 4, 2016.
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REPORTABLE
