Case Note & Summary
The writ appeals were filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent against the order dated 19.12.2024 in WP No.39546/2024. The dispute pertained to a penalty of 7 days suspension imposed on the appellants, who were workers, by the management for the period 25.08.2025 to 31.08.2025. The parties, with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre at the High Court of Madras, reached a settlement on 28.04.2026. Under the terms of the settlement, the management agreed to withdraw the suspension penalty and remove any related entries from the service records of each appellant. The workers waived their wages for the suspension period but the period was treated as one of continuity of service for all purposes except wages, and it would not be treated as a break in service. The question of law raised in the writ appeals was left open and treated as not decided between the parties. The parties agreed not to institute any future claims or proceedings in this regard and that the settlement shall not be construed as an admission of guilt or liability. The settlement was stated to be voluntary, arrived at without coercion, undue influence, or misrepresentation. The High Court, upon noting the settlement, disposed of the writ appeals in terms thereof, with no order as to costs, and closed any connected miscellaneous petitions.
Headnote
A) Industrial Dispute - Settlement - Compromise - Letters Patent Appeal - The writ appeals were disposed of in terms of the settlement reached between the parties before the Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre, with the management withdrawing the suspension penalty and the workers waiving wages for the suspension period but with continuity of service. The question of law raised in the appeals was left open. Held that the appeals are disposed of in terms of the settlement (Paras 1-3).
Issue of Consideration
WA Nos. 338, 342, 343, 344, 345, 373 of 2025
Final Decision
The writ appeals are disposed of in terms of the settlement. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed.
