WORKMEN THR. HINDUSTAN LEVER MAZDOOR S. vs HINDUSTAN LEVERS LTD.

The Supreme Court held that the closure of the Ghaziabad unit and the voluntary retirement of all workmen under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme do not extinguish a validly pending industrial dispute regarding past grievances unless the employer proves that such grievances were settled. The Court emphasized that the settlement agreement explicitly excluded pending disputes related to dearness allowance, thus allowing the Industrial Tribunal to continue adjudication in Adj. Case No.42/1998. The High Court's order quashing the Tribunal's decision was set aside, reinforcing the necessity to resolve outstanding claims.