STATE OF PUNJAB vs THE GANDHARA TRANSPORT COMPANY (P) LTD ANDOTHERS

The Supreme Court held that the State Government's order dated 5th March 1962, referring a dispute for adjudication, was competent under Section 2(k) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court established that an industrial dispute exists when a substantial number of workmen support the cause, and the dismissal of three workmen and retrenchment of another warranted adjudication. The appeal was allowed, overturning the High Court's decision that had confirmed the incompetence of the State Government's reference.