Judgment 1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the respondents. 2. This Misc. Appeal is directed against the judgment and award dated 31.3.2003 passed by the Deputy Labour Commissioner-cum-Commissioner for Workmen Compensation, Patna, in W.C. Case No. 23/2000(C), by which the appellant was directed to pay Rs. 1,68,000.00 as compensation to the claimant alongwith 9% interest under the provision of sec. 4 of the Workmens Compensation Act, 1923. 3. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and considering the materials on record including the impugned order, it is quite apparent that the matter was a contested one and the impugned order was passed after hearing both the sides. It is also not in dispute that the impugned order was passed by Deputy Labour Commissioner-cum-Commissioner for Workmen Compensation, Patna. 4. A decision of this Court in case d Most. Parmada Devi V/s. Sri Bishwanath Singh & Ors., reported in 2003(2) PLJR 722 has been referred. In the said decision, this court has specifically held that the Presiding Officer of the concerned Labour Court has been declared as the ex-officio Commissioner for Workmens Compensation to deal with non-contested cases only arising under the Act and the rules framed thereunder, and he does not have jurisdiction to deal with the matters contested between the parties. It was also held in that decision that once such a contest was set up the Deputy Labour Commissioner-cum-Commissioner Workmen Compensation was bound in law to refer the matter to the labour court having jurisdiction over the matter for adjudication. In the said case, reliance had also been placed upon the decisions of this Court in case of Messers Raj Kishan Co. V/s. The State of Bihar & Others, reported in 1999(1) PLJR 803 and also the decision of this court in case of Most. Bigai Devi V/s. Divisional Manager, Railway, Mugalsarai & Ors. in M.A. No. 108 of 2000 decided by judgment dated 2.8.2002. Learned counsel also refers the case of National Insurance Company V/s. Chanchala Devi & Ors. in M.A. No. 445 of 2002, decided on 5.2.2007. 5. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the instant Misc. Appeal is allowed and the impugned order passed by the Deputy Labour Commissioner-cum-Commissioner for Workmen Compensation, Patna is set aside and he is directed to refer the dispute to the Labour Court for proper adjudication on all the points. 6. in M.A. No. 445 of 2002, decided on 5.2.2007. 5. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the instant Misc. Appeal is allowed and the impugned order passed by the Deputy Labour Commissioner-cum-Commissioner for Workmen Compensation, Patna is set aside and he is directed to refer the dispute to the Labour Court for proper adjudication on all the points. 6. Learned counsel for the parties shall appear in the Court below on their own within one month from today. It may be noted here that this court has not considered the matter on merits.