Indian Bank Jewel Appraisers Association, v. Indian Bank

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI CRP.No.2095 of 2025 & CMP.No.12211 of 2025 Indian Bank Jewel Appraisers Association, Rep. by its General Secretary, Mr.S.Bakthavathsalam, No.12/1, Lakshmanan Street, MGR Nagar, Chennai - 600 078.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.Indian Bank, Rep. by its General Manager (HRM), Indian Bank Corporate Office, 254-260, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014.

2.Indian Bank, Rep. by its General Manager (FI & Rural Banking/SLBC/RRB), Indian Bank Corporate Office, 254-260, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014.

... Respondents PRAYER: Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of Constitution of India, to transfer I.D.No.20 of 2017 to another functional Industrial Tribunal within the jurisdiction of this Court where the matter can be heard and adjudicated promptly in the interest of justice and to prevent delay. 1/6

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sankaranarayanan Senior Counsel for Mr.G.Gokul For Respondents : No appearance

ORDER

The Civil Revision Petition has been filed to transfer I.D.No.20 of 2017 to another functional Industrial Tribunal within the jurisdiction of this Court where the matter can be heard and adjudicated promptly in the interest of justice and to prevent delay.

2.Heard Mr.R.Sankaranarayanan, learned Senior Counsel for Mr.G.Gokul, learned counsel for the petitioner. 3.Despite service of notice on the respondents, there is no appearance on behalf of the respondents either in person or through any counsel. 4.Mr.R.Sankaranarayanan, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would state that though the other reliefs have been sought for, including transfer of the proceedings to another Industrial Tribunal, since there has been no Presiding Officer close to four years, he would fairly 2/6

submit that as on date, the Presiding Officer has not been appointed and it is sufficient to direct the Industrial Tribunal to expedite the final hearing and dispose of the proceedings within a reasonable time. 5.Considering the limited relief that is now sought for and in view of the respondents also having not appeared, despite service of notice, I am inclined to direct the Industrial Tribunal, Chennai to take up I.D.No.20 of 2017 and dispose of the same on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6.The learned Senior Counsel would also state that the members of the petitioner/Association are only jewel appraisers and pending the proceedings, they should not be transferred.

He would also draw my attention to the notice that has been issued on behalf of the revision petitioner on 17.04.2025 seeking for non altering the service conditions of the individual members during the pendency of the said dispute. 7.

12 weeks, in the interest of justice, it would be equally proper to protect the interest of the members of the petitioner/Association. Hence, the service conditions shall not be altered till final disposal of the proceedings. 8.With these above directions, the Civil Revision Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Connected Civil Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

25.06.2025 Speaking/Non-speaking : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ata 4/6

To The Industrial Tribunal, Labour Court, Chennai. 5/6

P.B. BALAJI,J.

ata CRP.No.2095 of 2025 & CMP.No.12211 of 2025 25.06.2025 6/6