The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued a stern warning to striking transport employees, expressing strong displeasure over the continuation of their agitation despite the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the court’s own interim stay on the strike.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi came down heavily on the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation and other transport unions, stating that the ongoing strike was unacceptable and that contempt proceedings would be initiated if the agitation was not immediately withdrawn.
In response to the court’s warning, the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation announced the suspension of the strike until August 7—the next scheduled date of hearing. Federation president H V Anantha Subbarao confirmed to the media in Bengaluru that all employees had been directed to resume work immediately.
The High Court extended its previous interim order restraining the strike for two more days and directed the unions to submit an affidavit on Wednesday affirming the suspension of the strike.
The matter reached the court after widespread disruption in public transport services caused hardship to commuters across the state. During the hearing, the Advocate General submitted that the strike had severely impacted daily life and essential services.
In response to the bench’s inquiry about conciliation efforts, the government detailed previous negotiations with the unions. The court observed that while workers have the right to raise grievances, resorting to strikes—especially when ESMA has been enforced—is unlawful and undermines public interest.
The court also issued notices to unions representing all four state-run transport corporations, directing them to comply with its order. Counsel for the Joint Action Committee assured the bench that there would be no strike on Wednesday.
The bench reiterated that any resumption of the strike would empower the state to take legal action under ESMA.
The court will hear the matter next on August 7.
