HC rejects BEST workers union leader's petition

Mumbai, July 20 (UNI) The Bombay High Court has rejected a petition filed by BEST workers union, challenging suspension of its President Prakash Walke after the two-day strike that ended on April 20.

After the strike, departmental enquiry was initiated against Mr Walke for levelling wild allegations on BEST undertaking management and he was suspended on April 27.

The union, headed by Mr Walke, had challenged the supension order in the High Court saying that the departmental enquiry was nothing but an attempt to stall work of Mr Walke, who was an active trade union leader.

Commenting that the petition was vague and merely an attempt to stall the conclusions of the departmental enquiry, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Ranjana Desai dismissed the petition. The court has also noted in its order that there were no specific allegations in the petition showing patent abuse of power on part of the disciplinary authority.

The court observed that an order of suspension can neither be treated as punitive nor one requiring pre-determination of any issue.

UNI