SARVA SHRAMIK SANGH vs INDIAN HUME PIPES CO. LTD.

The Supreme Court held that the Industrial Tribunal has the jurisdiction to grant relief from a date prior to the raising of the dispute, as it is not bound by the technical rules of procedure applicable to Civil Courts. The Court clarified that the demand raised in 1973 was a reiteration of the original demand from November 1965, and thus the Tribunal could have awarded relief from an earlier date if justified. The Court allowed the appeal, stating that the High Court's order did not restrict the workmen from claiming benefits from an earlier date, and the Tribunal's decision to grant relief from 1.1.1968 was upheld.