U. C. BANERJEE, J. ( 1 ) THIS writ petition is directed against an order dated 4th July, 1984 passed by the 5th Industrial Tribunal wherein the Tribunal held that findings of the 7th Industrial Tribunal in a proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) of the Industrial disputes Act, cannot in any way stand as a bar in deciding they issue afresh. ( 2 ) BEFORE adverting to the rival contentions a brief reference to facts is necessary. ( 3 ) THE concerned workman being respondent No 3, herein was employed by the petitioner as Stores Clerk in the Paharpur Works of the petitioner's factory. By reason of certain acts on the part of the respondent No. 3, the petitioner, by a notice dated 14th February, 1981, read with its corrigendum dated 16th February, 1981, required the concerned respondent to show cause as to why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated. The respondent in turn showed cause by his letter date 9th February 1981 and since the cause shown by the respondent No 3 was found not satisfactory, an enquiry was directed. Subsequently an Enquiry Officer was appointed to enquire into the charges leveled against the respondent workman. The Enquiry Officer made his report on 21st September 1981 and forwarded the same along with the records of proceedings of the enquiry to the petitioner. The General Manager of Paharpur Works, on consideration came to the conclusion that the respondent workman was guilty of the offences, constituting major misdemeanor, and by a letter dated 26th October 1981, dismissed the respondent workman from service with immediate effect. From the facts it appears that at the time of dismissal an industrial adjudication was pending before the 7th Industrial Tribunal of West Bengal. The petitioner as such, in compliance with the statutory provisions applied for approval. The petitioner, however, offered one month's wages to the respondent workman. ( 4 ) THE application before the 7th Industrial Tribunal was registered as Case No. 69/1981 and notice where of was duly sent to the concerned respond who in turn appeared in the proceeding and filed his written statement. The petitioner made an application before 7th Industrial Tribunal for hearing of a preliminary issue in regard to the legality and validity of the domestic enquiry held by the enquiry officer. The petitioner made an application before 7th Industrial Tribunal for hearing of a preliminary issue in regard to the legality and validity of the domestic enquiry held by the enquiry officer. The 7th Industrial Tribunal admitted the application and during the hearing the Investing Officer was examined and cross-examined at length Subsequently, by the order dated 24th September, 1982, being order No, 28, the 7th Industrial Tribunal came to the conclusion that the enquiry was held in accordance with the principles of natural justice. In the said order the 7th Industrial also held that the petitioner had come to a bona fide conclusion and the respondent No. 3 was guilty of the charges leveled against him an the dismissal of the respondent No 3 did not amount to unfair labor practice. ( 5 ) BY a letter dated 21st March 1983 the paharpur Works Employees'. Union being the respondent No. 2 in the writ petition, requested the petitioner for reinstatement of the respondent No. 3 but the same having been rejected, the State Labor Directorate was approached to intervene in the matter and by its order No 3809 dated 27th December, 1983, the State Government referred the dispute for adjudication to the respondent No 1, being the 5th Industrial Tribunal, under S. 10 of the Act of 1947. As per direction of the 5th Industrial Tribunal the parties duly filed their respective statements. Subsequently on the application of the petitioner of a declaration in rearguard to the validity and conclusiveness of the finding of the 7th Industrial Tribunal in regard to the domestic enquiry, the 5th Industrial Tribunal, cannot to a conclusion, that the finding of the 7th Industrial Tribunal cannot be termed to be conclusive in as much as the same was merely prima facie in nature. It is this order, which is under challenge in the writ petition under consideration. ( 6 ) THE question therefore, falls for consideration as to whether the validity of the domestic enquiry which has been decided under S. 33 (2) (b) application can be reopened in an enquiry under S. 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act. ( 7 ) MR. R. C. Deb appearing for the writ petitioner strenuously contended the nature of the proceedings under S. 33 (2) (b) have undergone a drastic change. ( 7 ) MR. R. C. Deb appearing for the writ petitioner strenuously contended the nature of the proceedings under S. 33 (2) (b) have undergone a drastic change. Referring to the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Bhatat Iron Works v. Bhagubhai reported in AIR 1976 SC 98 Mr. Deb contended that there in no difference in principle of law applicable to a case under S. 10 and under S. 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act. In the above cited decision the Supreme Court observed:"when an application under S. 33 whether for approval or for permission is made to a Tribunal it has initially a limited jurisdiction only to see whether a prima facie case is made out in respect of the misconduct charged. This is, however, the position only when the domestic enquiry proceeding the order of dismissals free from any defect, that is to say, free from the vice of violation of the principles of natural justice. If on the other hand, there is violation of the principles of natural justice, the Tribunal will then give opportunity to the employer to produce evidence, if any, and also to the workman to rebut it if he so chooses. In the latter event the Tribunal will be entitled to arrive at its own conclusion on the evidence produced before it with regard to the proof of the misconduct charge, and the Tribunal, then will not be confined merely to consider whether a Prima facie case is established against he employee. In such an event, he employer's findings in the domestic enquiry will lapse and these will be substituted by he independent conclusions of he Tribunal on merits". ( 8 ) THE point in issue was further examined by Supreme Court in M. S. Dhantwal v. Hindustan Motors reported in AIR 1978 SC 2062 wherein it was observed that if there is violation of the principle of natural justice in he enquiry the Tribunal can go into the whole question relating to the misconduct and come to its own conclusion. The Supreme Court in that decision observed. The Supreme Court in that decision observed. "from the provisions of S. 33 it is manifest that punitive action by the employer in whatever form it may be passed is permissible against an ordinary workman, as distinguished from a protected workman, even during the tendency of proceedings before the Tribunal provided that the employer pays one month's wages and also applies to the concerned Tribunal for approval of his action. Since the action is punitive, namely, dismissal or discharge for misconduct, the Tribunal has to oversee the action to guarantee that no unfair labor practice or victimization has been practiced there by. If the procedure of fair hearing has been observed the Tribunal has to find in an application under S. 33 that a prima facie case is made out for dismissal. If, on the other hand, there is violation of the principles of natural justice in the enquiry, the Tribunal can go into the whole question relating to the misconduct and come to its own conclusion whether the same is established. " ( 9 ) THE same issue came up for consideration again before the Supreme Court in the case of Lalaram v. D. C. M. Chemical works reported in AIR 1978 SC 1004 in which; the Supreme Court, after considering the earlier decisions, including the Bengal Bhatdee Coal case clearly laid down the position off law as follows:"the position that emerges from the above quoted decisions of this court nay be stated thus: In proceedings under S 33 (2) (b) of the Act, the jurisdiction of the Industrial Tribunal is confined to the enquiry as to (i) whether a proper domestic enquiry in accordance with the relevant rules / Standing Order and principles of nature justice has been held; (ii) Whether a prima facie case for dismissal based on legal evidence adduced before the domestic. Tribunal is made out; (iii) whether the employer had come to a bona fide conclusion that the employee was guilty and the and the dismissal did not amount to unfair labor practice and was no interned to victimize the employee regard being had to the position settled by the decisions of this Court in Bengal Bhatdee Coal Co v. Ram Probesh Singh (1964) 1 SCR 70 (: AIR 1964sc 486); Titaghur paper Mills Co. Ltd v Ram Naresh Kumar (1961) 1 Lab LJ 511) (SC); Hind Constriction and Engineering Co Ltd. V Their Workmen, (1965) 2 SCR; AIR 1965 SC 917 ; Workman of Messes Files once Type andrubber Company of India (p) Ltd. v. Management, (1973) 3 SCR 587 ; AIR 1973 SC 1227 , and Eastern Electric and Trading Co v. Baldev Lal, 1973 Lab IC, 1435: (AIR 1975 SC 1982) that though generally speaking the award of punishment for misconduct under the Standing Orders is a matter for the management to decide and the Tribunal is not required to consider the propriety or adequacy of the punishment or whether it is excessive or too severe yet an inference of mala fides may in certain cases be drive from the imposition of unduly harsh, severe, unconscionable or shockingly disproportionate punishment ; (iv) Whether the employer has paid or offered to pay wages for one month to the employee and (v) Whether the employer has simultaneously or within such reasonably short time as to form part of the same transaction applied to the authority before which the main industrial dispute is pending for approval of the action ascend by him. If these conditions are satisfied, the Industrial Tribunal would grant the approval, which would relate back to the date from which the employer had ordered the dismissal. If however, the domestic enquiry suffers from any defect or infirmity, the labor authority will have to find out on its own assessment of the evidence adduced before it whether there was justification for dismissal and if it so finds it will grant approval of the order of dismissal which would also relate back to the date when the order was passed provided the employer had within the time indicated above applied to the authority before which the main industrial dispute is pending for approval of the action taken by him. " ( 10 ) RELYING on the aforesaid decisions Mr. Deb contended that proceedings under S 33 (2) (b) ought to be equated with the adjudicator jurisdiction under S. 33 (2) (b) ought to be equated with the adjudicator jurisdiction under S 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act. ( 11 ) INCIDENTALLY, the Supreme Court also expressed the same view in the case of R. N. Works v. Babubhai Patel, reported in 1976 Lab IC 4. ( 12 ) MR. ( 11 ) INCIDENTALLY, the Supreme Court also expressed the same view in the case of R. N. Works v. Babubhai Patel, reported in 1976 Lab IC 4. ( 12 ) MR. Deb further contended that in an application under S. 33 (2) (b) the finding ought to be treated as prima facie so far as the merit of the dispute is concerned, but so far as the validity of the domestic enquiry is concerned, he findings ought to be treated as conclusive and has binding effect in subsequent proceedings. To hold it otherwise, it was contended, would be in any event, multiplicity of litigations, which is against the very purpose for which, the Industrial Disputes Act was engrafted in the statute book. ( 13 ) IT is now well settled that the doctrine of rest judicator has its application in full force in regard of the Industrial matters. A decision given by a competent labor court would operate as a bar in the trial of the same issue in the subsequent proceeding for constructive res judicata. This view finds support form the decision of the Supreme Court in the decision of the Punjab Co-operative Bank v. E S Bhatia reported in 1975 (2) LLJ 373 . ( 14 ) WHILE it is true that a new horizon has opened up and the law, since the decision in Lalaram's case has been expanded, but by reason of a bench decision of this court which has a binding effect on a judge sitting singly, I am unable to accept the contention of Mr. Deb. This Court, in the case of Graphite India Ltd. v. The state of W. B. reported in 1979 Lab IC 1279 = 84 CWN 239 observed. "the second contention of the appellant company is that in the proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) of the Industrial Disputes Act, the Tribunal having found that there had been no violation of the principles of natural justice. It was not open to the Tribunal to hold to the contrary in the present proceeding. In other words, it is urged that the finding of he Tribunal in the proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) that a proper and legal enquiry was held against the respondent no 4 as required under the law would operate as res judicata in the present proceeding. In other words, it is urged that the finding of he Tribunal in the proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) that a proper and legal enquiry was held against the respondent no 4 as required under the law would operate as res judicata in the present proceeding. It is now a well-established principle of law hat the finding on an issue in order to be res judicata in a subsequent acceding, the issue must have been heard and finally decided. In a proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b), the Tribunal may approve of the action of the employer against his employee on a Prima facie finding that the enquiry held against the employee was proper and legal and that all the principles of natural justice were complied with. The Tribunal is, therefore, not to decide finally as to the legality and propriety of the enquiry but it comes to a prima facie finding in that regard. As the point cannot be said to have been finally decided by the Tribunal, there is no question of the finding of the Tribunal operating as res judicata in a subsequent proceeding. The Karnataka High Court in The Management of M/s Amalgamated Elec. Co Ltd v. Workmen, 1975 (1) LIC 879 has laid down that the finding recorded in a proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) regarding the validity of a domestic enquiry cannot be used as res judicata in a subsequent reference under S. 10 even though the questions that arise for consideration are the same. The Supreme Court in M/s G. Mckenzie and co L. t. d. v. It's Workmen and others. AIR 1959 SC 389 has observed that the purpose of S. 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act is merely to give withhold permission and not to adjudicate upon an industrial dispute, at finding under S. 33 would not operate as res judicata and bar he raiser of an industrial dispute. On behalf of the appellant company a distinct has been sought to be made between the raising of an industrial disputant the findings to be made by the Tribunal in such a dispute. It is contended that although there is no bar to the raising of an industrial dispute the Tribunal will be precluded form holding against the legality of a enquiry by the employer against its workmen on the grouched of non-compliance of the rule of natural justice. It is contended that although there is no bar to the raising of an industrial dispute the Tribunal will be precluded form holding against the legality of a enquiry by the employer against its workmen on the grouched of non-compliance of the rule of natural justice. If in a proceeding under S. 33 (2) (b) the Tribunal upheld the enquiry as legally and properly held. We unable to accept this contention. These principles of res judicata oust the jurisdiction of he Court or Tribunal to entertain any suit or proceeding. If, therefore, follows that wham he raising a dispute is permitted and the Tribunal is entitled to entertain he same the re could be no question of res judicata preventing the Tribunal from determining the dispute. The contention made on behalf of he appalled company in this regard is overruled. " ( 15 ) WHILE it is true that while dealing with the matter in graphite India case this court's attention was not drawn to the decisions referred to earlier in this judgment, but in my view a judge, sitting singly, is bound by the Division Bench judgment and as such I am unable to express any other opinion but to follow the opinion expended in the case of Graphite India. ( 16 ) A suggestion has been made from the bar that he matter ought to be referred to a larger bench, but I am not in a position to accept the contention as the rules of our High Court do not permit a judge sitting singly to refer the matter to the Learned Chief Justice for constitution a larger bench even if there be an occasion to have a difference of opinion. In this context reference may be made to decision of this court in the case of Hinting Industries v. State, reported in 82 CWN 936. In the premises this application fails and is dismissed. All interim orders are vacated. There will, however, be no order as to costs. Operation of this order, however, is stayed for days from date. Application dismissed.