In Brief
This case involved a petrol pump dealers association challenging an ex parte award passed by an Industrial Tribunal in an industrial dispute regarding employee wages and benefits. The association had no knowledge of the tribunal proceedings and received no opportunity to present its case. The Supreme Court held that every party has a fundamental right to contest litigation on merits. Since the association had no knowledge from the outset and no legal exception barred them from contesting, the Court set aside all previous orders and remanded the case to the tribunal for fresh hearing on merits with both parties given full opportunity to present their arguments and evidence."
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