GURMEET SINGH vs PRESIDING OFFICER INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNAL AND ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 111 CWP-14307-2017 Date of Decision : May 13, 2026 GURMEET SINGH -PETITIONER V/S PRESIDING OFFICER, INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNAL AND ORS. -RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI Present: Mr. Gursher Singh Dhillon, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Sahil R. Bakshi, A.A.G., Punjab. *** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1. Through the instant writ petition, the petitioner/workman assails the award dated 03.03.2017 passed by the Industrial Tribunal, Amritsar, whereby the reference was answered against him on two grounds, namely: (i) the earlier reference filed by the workman on the same cause of action was simpliciter dismissed as withdrawn; and (ii) the workman failed to establish that he had completed 240 days of service in the twelve months preceding the date of termination. 2. Learned counsel for the workman submits that the earlier reference was withdrawn with the intention of arriving at an amicable settlement with respondents No.2 and 3/management, and therefore, the second reference was not barred by the principle of res judicata. In support of his contention, reliance is placed upon the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in