PATNA, India, Feb. 10 -- Patna High Court issued the following judgment on Jan. 9:

1. 1. The Writ petition is filed for the following reliefs:

"For issuance of a writ in the nature fo writ of mandamus directing the respondents to implement the order issued from time to time by the concerned authority with respect to the agreement reached between the petitioners and concerned authorities including this to allow the petitioners to resume duty withdrawal of false cases instituted against them, enforcement of concerned Labour Laws, payment of all arrears in accordance with law and also inquiry of affairs of the concerned power companies and accordingly the rule be made absolute and or pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper. "

2. The brief facts, as culled out from the writ petition, are that the petitioners are citizens of India and were working in different divisions of Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited. It is stated that in the month of January, 2016, when the demands of the employees were not fulfilled, the petitioners along with other employees decided to boycott work, commonly known as Hartal, as permissible under labour laws. The employees went on Hartal, and subsequently, assurance was given by the concerned authorities, that upon withdrawal of the strike, their demands would be fulfilled and duly considered. Thereafter, a representation dated 26.02.2016 was filed by the Union, explaining all the issues, which was also sent to the Secretary, Labour Department, Government of Bihar.

3. Further, on 04.03.2016, a detailed representation was filed before the concerned authorities, including the Commissioner and the Hon'ble Chief Minister, in which everything was explained that the Union of employees along with the petitioners would go on different form of boycott. Thereafter, in place of some persons (working at that time), other persons were engaged. Upon withdrawal of the strike, the Managing Director, Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited issued a letter to the Managing Director of South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, directing that the services of such employees to be ensured and also issued certain other directions. Subsequently, on 12.04.2016, a letter was issued by the Deputy General Manager, to all concerned Executive Engineers, Electric Supply Divisions, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, stating that the employees who had underwent indefinite strike, were not allowed to work and thereafter, their services to be considered to be taken back on a case-to-case basis, by amending the earlier instructions issued vide letter dated 08.04.2016. The Writ petition further disclose that numerous letters were issued by the concerned departments, with respect to the employees of Bihar Power Distribution Company.

*Rest of the document can be viewed at: (https://patnahighcourt.gov.in/viewjudgment/MTUjMTgxMzgjMjAxNiMxI04=-aXhN29i7nz8=)

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.