Twelve respondents instituted a civil suit before the Senior Sub-Judge against the employer's action of their termination and retrenchment from service. The reliefs they claimed in the suit consists in the: Declaration t

Twelve respondents instituted a civil suit before the Senior Sub-Judge against the employer's action of their termination and retrenchment from service. The reliefs they claimed in the suit consists in the: Declaration to the effect that the orders of their termination or retrenchment from service were illegal, and Entitlement against the retrenchment with back wages. It was pleaded that the plaintiffs-respondents were skilled workers working in a hydel project in Alandpur in various capacities such as T. Mate, Mixer Operator, Beldar etc. for more than 5 years and therefore as per the standing orders and the rules, they were regular employees of the defendants. It was alleged that the defendant-appellants did not maintain any seniority list of the workers and different categories of services on the said project and they arbitrarily removed the plaintiffs-respondents from service by obtaining their signatures on papers under coercion and force and also forcing them to accept payments. It was further alleged that the defendant-appellants while removing plaintiffs-respondents did not comply with seniority criteria. As a result, juniors were retained in service and seniors were retrenched. It was alleged that the action was discriminatory and contrary to law resulting in victimization. This claim of the plaintiffs-respondents was contested by the defendant-appellants on the grounds that common suit could not have been filed since the cause of action of each defendant was distinct and separate; the plaintiffs-respondents were appointed on purely temporary basis and after the completion of the project, their services were validly terminated. On the contrary, the plaintiffs-respondents claimed injunction and reinstatement. On the diligent perusal of the above case, answer the following questions referring to legal provisions and decided case law, if any: In case retrenchment is proved to be illegal or ultra vires , explain reliefs available to the plaintiffs-respondents under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.