HC restrains both Pawaskar and Raut from heading AI union

Mumbai, Jan 13 (PTI) The Bombay High Court todayrestrained both Shiv Sena MP Bharat Kumar Raut, and NCP leaderKiran Pawaskar from acting as the president of All India CabinCrew Association (Air India employees'' union promoted by ShivSena) and directed that fresh election be held.

Pawaskar quit Sena last week and joined NCP, which hadled to a row over control of the union of which he was oncethe president.

Justice S J Kathawala directed that fresh elections forthe post be held between February 15 and 28 with senioradvocate Vijay Vaidya acting as the election commissioner.

Notice for the election has to be issued to all the employeesby January 29 and the results would be declared on March 15.

The Association had filed petition in the High Courtpraying that Raut be restrained from acting as the presidentsince the members had unanimously resolved to appoint Pawaskaras president in their managing committee meeting on January 5.

The managing committee had also resolved tode-affiliate itself from Shiv Sena and Bhartiya Kamgar Sena.

The association approached the High Court following aa scuffle between Shiv Sena and NCP workers at the airport onJanuary 11.

While ordering that fresh elections be held, JusticeKathawala also allowed three members of the managing committeeto enter their office inside Air India premises on January 18to collect some papers. The office was sealed by Air Indiafollowing the scuffle.