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NON-REPORTABLE  IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL NO.5445 OF 2016

(Arising out of SLP (C) No.25233 of 2013)

GURJANT SINGH & ORS.   APPELLANTS                                         VERSUS

STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.                   RESPONDENTS

J U D G M E N T  KURIAN,J.

1 Leave granted. 2 The appellants approached this Court aggrieved by the Judgment dated 16th July, 2013 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh whereby the High  Court  had  remitted  the  references  under  the Industrial  Disputes  Act,  1947  to  the  Labour Court/Industrial  Tribunal,Patiala.  The  appellants apprehended that during the pendency of the adjudication before the Industrial Tribunal, Patiala, they would be terminated from the service.   3. By  order  dated  30th September,  2013,  this  Court directed  to  maintain  status  quo  with  regard  to  the service of the appellants.  It appears on account of the said interim order, the  Industrial Tribunal, Patiala did not  proceed  with  the  references.   Therefore,  by  a

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subsequent  order  dated  14th October,  2015,  it  was clarified that  pendency of the matter before this Court shall not stand in the way of the Labour Court proceeding with the references.  4. The  Industrial  Tribunal,  Patiala  has  thereafter decided the references and has passed Awards in the case of all five appellants.  It is seen from the Awards that all  the  appellants/workmen  have  been  directed  to  be reinstated with the continuity of service but without the back  wages  for  the  period  they  have  not  rendered  any service. 5. In view of the above development, we do not think it necessary  to  keep  this  appeal  pending.   Now  that  the Industrial Tribunal, Patiala  has passed the Awards, it is for the parties concerned (appellants and respondent Nos. 1 to 3) if they are aggrieved, and if so advised, to pursue the matter in accordance with law. 6. Accordingly, the appeal is disposed of with no order as to costs.

       ................J.      [KURIAN JOSEPH]

  ....................J.         [ROHINTON FALI NARIMAN]

NEW DELHI;  JULY 01, 2016

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