IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2383-2384    OF 2009

[Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 18357-18358/2005]

OIL & NATURAL GAS CORPORATION LTD. ... APPELLANT(S)

:VERSUS:

THE PETROLEUM EMPLOYEES UNION AND ORS. ... RESPONDENT(S)

WITH

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2386-2387    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 17615-17616/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2388-2389    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 17978-17979/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2390-2391    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 18816-18817/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2393-2394    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 17887-17888/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2395-2396    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 19005-19006/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2397-2398    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 18309-18310/2005]

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 2399-2400    OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 19018-19019/2005]

O R D E R

Leave granted.

Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, we are of the opinion that

keeping in view the decision of this Court in Steel Authority of India and Ors. vs.

National Union

-2-

Waterfront  Workers  and  Ors.[2001  (7)  SCC  1],   the  question  as  to  whether  the

contract  between  the  contractor  and  management  of  O.N.G.C.  was  sham or  not,

should be decided by the Industrial Tribunal.  We, therefore, are of the opinion that

the interim relief, if any, prayed for by the workmen may also be determined by the

said Tribunal.   

However, keeping in view the passage of time as also the interim order of

stay passed by this Court on 25.8.2005, paragraph 8 of the impugned order need not

be implemented till any appropriate order is passed by the Tribunal.   

It is needless to say that all contentions of the parties, including the question

of maintainability of the reference, shall remain open.    

The appeals are disposed of with the aforementioned direction.

...........................J (S.B. SINHA)

...........................J   (Dr. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA) NEW DELHI, MARCH 30, 2008.