No compensation for mill workers

The Bombay High Court has ruled that about 70 Phoenix Mills workers are not entitled to reinstatement and backwages since they refused to jo...

The Bombay High Court has ruled that about 70 Phoenix Mills workers are not entitled to reinstatement and backwages since they refused to join duty despite reminders after the 1982 textile strike.Justice R M Lodha upheld the Industrial Court order of 1995, which had disregarded the workers8217; plea.

The workers were employed during the cotton textile strike in 1982. As the strike period prolonged, the mill management declared it illegal. The Phoenix mill management then issued public advertisements and personal reminders asking workers to rejoin duty. The Mill Owners8217; Association also published an appeal in a Marathi daily newspaper. An ultimatum was given in another newspaper, as a result of which workers started coming back. However, a majority of the auto-weaving department stayed away from work, and it was closed down. The management initially offered to induct the workers in other departments, but ultimately retrenched them.The Industrial Court directed the mill to pay ex-gratia amount equivalent toretrenchment compensation at the rate of their last drawn salary and to pay gratuity as per provisions.

The workers8217; counsel argued that the Industrial Court did not consider the workers8217; case in the right perspective, and questioned the legality of closure of the auto-weaving department. However, the court ruled that it was not correct on the part of the workers to insist on restarting the weaving department, especially considering the financial crises faced by the mill. Upholding this judgement, the High Court has ordered the mill to deposit the retrenchment compensation with the Industrial Court, which will then disburse the money to the workers.

Two convicted in robbery case

Additional Sessions Judge Laxmi Tonsekar on Friday convicted two persons involved in a robbery case at Vile Parle in 1995. Michael Anthony Nadar and Surendra Shashidharan Shetty were sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 100. The third accused in the case is absconding.

On June 9, 1995,Dipendra Shah, a manager in a pharmaceutical company at Goregaon, and a colleague were on their way to office from Shamrao Vithal Bank, Vile Parle, on a motorcycle. When they reached Giriraj Marble company on the Western Express Highway at Vile Parle, they collided with a Maruti van and fell down. The three accused who were in the van alighted and and snatched a briefcase containing Rs 13,500 tied to the bike. Nadar and Shetty were later nabbed. Nine witnesses were examined by Special Public Prosecutor RN Mishra. Advocates Shaikh and JS Pradhan appeared for the accused.