High Court of KeralaDivision Bench2007-07-04Writ appeal dismissed; arbitration to decide th...

P.S. Ravendran v. State of Kerala & Others

Case / Petition Number:WA No.1227 of 2006

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: K.S. Radhakrishnan
Antony Dominic
Judgment Date: 2007-07-04
Court Decision / Holding: Writ appeal dismissed. The Division Bench held that, after Act 1 of 2000, inter se seniority and related disputes must be decided by the Co-operative Arbitration Court, not by the Joint Registrar or Government, and quashed the Joint Registrar/Government orders. The court endorsed the Prakasini decision and WA 2116/2006 Division Bench view.
Final Disposition: Writ appeal dismissed; arbitration to decide the disputes under the statutory framework.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

P.S. Ravendran

Respondents

State of Kerala represented by the Secretary to Government Co-operation Department
Joint Registrar Co-operative Societies (General)
The Thrissur Urban Co-Operative Bank Ltd.
T.V. Sheeba
P.G. Santhakumari
E.B. Rajam
Sherly C. George
V.S. Unnikrishnan
George C. Chungath
Albert Sebastian Chirayath
K.B. Krishna Priya
P.B. Anitha
M.V. Rosily
P.K. Baby
V.K. Rekha
P.R. Sudin
P.T. Roy
V.G. Galeena
C. Reghunathan

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Sri G. Krishnakumar

Counsels for Respondents

• Sri Benny Gervasiz
• Sri C.D. Dileep (SC)
• Sri A. Jayasankar

Case Synopsis & Summary

WA 1227/2006 concerns a writ appeal against Exts. P5 and P7, whereby the Joint Registrar held that the fourth respondent (T.V. Sheeba) is senior to the petitioners in the cadre of Junior Clerk and entitled to consequential benefits, and the Government confirmed Ext P5. The appellant, P.S. Ravendran, a junior accountant of the Thrissur Urban Co-Operative Bank, challenged these orders. The learned single judge relied on Prakasini v. Joint Registrar (2006 (1) KLT 199) to hold that the remedy for inter se seniority disputes lies with the Co-operative Arbitration Court rather than the Joint Registrar or Government, directing petitioners to approach arbitration. The appellants argued that the seniority dispute between themselves and the fourth respondent should be decided by the Joint Registrar and not by arbitration, noting that Ext P5 was issued on a direction of this court and may have conferred jurisdiction that the legislature had not conferred. The respondents contended that post-Act 1 of 2000 with effect from 02.01.2003, disputes involving employment and inter se seniority must be decided by the Arbitration Court under the statutory provisions, including Section 69(2)(d) and Rule 176. The Division Bench ultimately endorsed the arbitration route and dismissed the appeal, holding that the Joint Registrar had no jurisdiction to decide such disputes and that Prakasini and a Division Bench decision in WA 2116/2006 support this view.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 80(1) of the Co-operative Societies ActSection 69(2)(d) of the Co-operative Societies ActSection 70B of the Co-operative Societies ActRule 176 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies RulesAct 1 of 2000

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellant contends that the inter se seniority dispute between the appellants and the fourth respondent is within the purview of the Joint Registrar and not for the Co-operative Arbitration Court, relying on Exts. P5 and P7 and the court’s prior directions. It is argued that the directive of this court directing the Joint Registrar to consider the matter did not confer jurisdiction on the Joint Registrar beyond the statutory framework. The appellant cites Prakasini v. Joint Registrar (2006 (1) KLT 199) to support that seniority disputes should be resolved by arbitration. It is further argued that post-Act 1 of 2000, jurisdiction lies with the Arbitration Court for non-monetary disputes involving employees of co-operative societies, including inter se seniority, under Sections 69(2)(d) and 70B.

Contentions of Respondents

Respondents contend that, following Act 1 of 2000 effective 02.01.2003, inter se seniority and related employment disputes must be decided by the Co-operative Arbitration Court, not by the Joint Registrar or Government, under the statutory framework (Section 69(2)(d), Section 70B, and Rule 176). They emphasize that the court’s earlier direction to the Joint Registrar cannot grant jurisdiction to decide a matter reserved for arbitration, and rely on the statutory scheme to support arbitration as the exclusive forum.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
Prakasini v. Joint Registrar	2006 (1) KLT 199	Positive	The present judgment adopts and applies the view from Prakasini that inter-se seniority disputes must be resolved by the Co-operative Arbitration Court rather than the Joint Registrar.
W.A. No 2116 of 2006	WA 2116/2006	Positive	Division Bench of this court adopted the same reasoning supporting arbitration for seniority disputes.

Diagnostic Tool

Beta

Does this judgment govern your specific facts?

Don't risk relying on a distinguishable precedent. Enter your facts or proposition below. We will test it against P.S. Ravendran v. State of Kerala & Others and instantly map out authorities that support, challenge, or govern your position.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.S.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 4TH JULY 2007 / 13TH ASHADHA 1929 WA.No. 1227 of 2006 -----------------------(AGAINST THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C) NO 30840 OF 2005 DT 5.4.2006) APPELLANT: 4TH RESPONDENT ---------------------------------- P.S. RAVENDRAN, PAPPINIVATTATHU HOUSE, NEAR SREE RAMA TEMPLE, THRIPPRAYAR, VALAPPAD P.O., THRISSUR-680 567. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). BY ADV. SRI.G.KRISHNAKUMAR ## RESPONDENTS: RESPONDENTS 1 TO 3 AND PETITIONERS ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT CO-OPERATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. JOINT REGISTRAR, CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (GENERAL), CIVIL STATION, THRISSUR. 3. THEISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK, LTD.NO.87, REP. BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER, MISSION QUARTERS HIGH ROAD, THRISSUR. 4. T.V. SHEEBA, ACHUPARAMBIL HOUSE, CHIYYARAM P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 5. P.G. SANTHAKUMARI, KOLLATT HOUSE, KANATTUKARA P.O., THRISSUR (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 6. E.B. RAJAM, MUTHEDATHU PARAMBIL HOUSE, VIYYUR P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 7. SHERLY C. GEORGE, KUTTOOKARAN HOUSE, ARANATTUKARA P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK.) 8. V.S. UNNIKRISHNAN, VADAKOOTTU HOUSE, PALAKKAL, PALISSERY P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 9. GEORGE C. CHUNGATH, CHUNGATH HOUSE, PARAVATTANI, OLLUKKARA P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 10. ALBERT SEBASTIAN CHIRAYATH, CHIRAYATH HOUSE, MARATHAKKARA P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 11. K.B. KRISHNA PRIYA, THRIPPAKKAL HOUSE, MANNUTHY P.O., THIRSSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK.) 12. P.B. ANITHA, KALARICKAL HOUSE, KALVERY ROAD, POOTHOL P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERA5TIVE BANK). 13. M.V. ROSILY, PALACARAN HOUSE, MANNUTHY P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 14. P.K. BABY, KANJIRATHIMKAL HOUSE, ERAVIMANGALAM P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 15. V.K. REKHA, NEDUPARAMBIL HOUSE, VENGINISSERY P.O., PALAKKAL, THRISSUR (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSURS URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 16. P.R. SUDIN, PULIKKAL HOUSE, CHULISSERY, KOLANGATTUKARA P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 17. P.T. ROY, POOLAN HOUSE, NELLIKKUNNU, THRISSUR-5. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 18. V.G. GALEENA, SREE BHAVAN, PALLIYIL HOUSE, POONKUNNAM P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). 19. C. REGHUNATHAN, CHATHANATH HOUSE, CHIYYARAM P.O., THRISSUR. (JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THRISSUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK). R1 BY GOVT PLEADER SRI BENNY GERVASIZ R3 BY ADV. SRI C.D. DILEEP, SC, TRICHUR URBAN CO OP BANK R19 BY ADV. SRI A. JAYASANKAR THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 26/06/2007, THE COURT ON 04/07/2007 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WA 1227/06 1 ## K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN & ANTONY DOMINIC, JJ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------Writ Appeal No 1227 of 2006 -----------------------------------------------------------------------Dated: 4th July 2007 JUDGMENT ## Radhakrishnan,J. Writ petition was preferred by the appellants herein seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Exts. P5 and P7 orders. Ext. P5 is the order passed by the Joint Registrar holding that the fourth respondent is senior to the petitioners in the cadre of Junior Clerk and is therefore entitled to all consequential benefits. Ext. P7 is an order passed by the Government confirming Ext. P5. Aggrieved by the same writ petition was preferred. Learned single judge disposed of the writ petition placing reliance on the decision of another learned judge of this court in Prakasini v. Joint Registrar (2006 (1) KLT 199) and took the view that; the remedy open to the writ petitioners is to approach Co-operative Arbitration Court. Aggrieved by the same this appeal has been preferred. 2. Contention was raised by the counsel for the appellants that a dispute with regard to seniority between the appellants and the WA 1227/06 2 fourth respondent is to be decided by Joint Registrar and not by the Arbitration Court. It was also stated that the second respondent has passed Ext P5 order on a direction given by this court in Ext P1 judgment and that judgment has become final and therefore jurisdiction has been conferred on the Joint Registrar to decide the seniority dispute between the parties. 3. We are of the view, after the coming into force of Act 1 of 2000 with effect from 02.01.2003, the dispute in connection with the employment of officers and servants of different classes of societies specified in sub-section (1) of Section 80 including their promotion and inter-se seniority has to be decided by the Arbitration Court and not by the Joint Registrar or by the Government. The mere fact that this court in a writ petition filed by the petitioners directed the Joint Registrar to decide the dispute cannot amount to conferring jurisdiction on the Joint Registrar to decide the dispute for which he has no jurisdiction. Judgment rendered by this court would not confer any jurisdiction or authority on the Joint Registrar when legislature has conferred jurisdiction on the Arbitration Court. When this court directs consideration of a matter by the Joint Registrar the Joint Registrar can decide that matter only in accordance with law. WA 1227/06 3 Legislature has conferred jurisdiction on the Arbitration Court to decide the question of seniority and promotion and therefore the order passed by the Joint Registrar is without jurisdiction. Learned single judge has rightly allowed the writ petition and quashed the order passed by the Government confirming the order of the Joint Registrar. 4. Learned single judge of this court in Prakasini's case, supra has taken the view that inter se seniority between employees is to be decided by the Arbitration Court or by the Registrar and not by the Joint Registrar under Rule 176 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules. Dispute between the parties consequently falls under Section 69 (2) (d) of the Act which is extracted hereunder for easy reference. 69. Disputes to be decided by Co-operative Arbitration Court and Registrar - (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, if a dispute arises: |(a)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |---|---|---|---|---| |(b)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(c)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(d)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(e)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(f)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(g)|xx|xx|xx|xx| |(h)|xx|xx|xx|xx| WA 1227/06 4 - (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the following shall also be deemed to be disputes, namely - - (a) xx xx xx xx (b) xx xx xx xx - (c) xx xx xx xx (d) any dispute arising in connection with employment of officers and servants of the different classes of societies specified in sub-section (1) of Section 80, including their promotion and inter se seniority. Section 70B of the Act deals with provisions as to pending proceedings, which is also extracted hereunder for easy reference. ## 70.B Provisions as to pending proceedings: On the constitution of a Co-operative Arbitration Court, every dispute pending before the Registrar or any person invested with the power to dispose of the dispute by the Government or the arbitrator appointed by the Registrar, in respect of non-monetary disputes, relating to the local area of jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court, shall be transferred to such Arbitration Court and the Court shall dispose of the same as if it were a dispute referred to it under section 69. On a reading of the above mentioned statutory provisions it is clear that any dispute arising in connecton with employment of officers and servants of the different classes of societies specified in sub-section (1) of Section 80 including their promotion and inter se seniority is to be decided by the Arbitration Court. On the constitution of Cooperative Arbitration Court, every dispute pending before the WA 1227/06 5 Registrar or any person invested with the power to dispose of the same by the Government or the arbitrator appointed by the Registrar , in respect of non-monetary disputes relating to the local area of jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court, shall be transferred to such Arbitration Court and the court shall dispose of the same as if it were a dispute referred to it under Section 69. Same is the view taken by the Division Bench of this court in W.A. No 2116 of 2006. We therefore fully endorse the view taken by the learned judge in Prakasini's case. Consequently writ appeal lacks merits and the same would stand dismissed. Sd/- K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN Judge Sd/- ANTONY DOMINIC Judge 04/07/2007 en/ [true copy]