Principle of Res Judicata Bars Second Reference to Labor Court After Adjudication: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that the principle of res judicata bars a second reference to the labor court after an issue has been adjudicated. The case involved an employee who sought a second reference after an unfavorable decision in the first instance. The court emphasized that once a matter has been decided by a competent court, it cannot be re-litigated between the same parties. This principle aims to promote judicial efficiency and finality in legal proceedings. The ruling reinforces the importance of finality in judicial decisions, preventing repeated litigation on the same issues and ensuring that court resources are used efficiently.