'Don't Go On Strike In Between': Karnataka HC Extends Interim Stay On Strike By Transport Unions, Conciliation On June 10

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday [June 3] extended its interim order restraining trade unions of four State Road transport corporations from going on an indefinite strike, while observing that the difficulty experienced by the general public, as articulated by the petitioners, was real.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakru and Justice K.S Hemalekha was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by a housemaid and a construction worker seeking to prevent the proposed strike, which they argued would detrimentally affect the public transport and affect 1.2 crores of daily commuters.

When the matter was taken up, Adv. Maitreyi Krishnan appearing for the Joint Action Committee of trade unions informed the Court that conciliation proceedings between the Unions and Corporations have been posted before the State's Labour Department on June 10, 2026.

"…We are only on a question of law. We are not going to entertain further arguments… this is a PIL saying exams are pending and students won't be able to participate. The strike would have a cascading effect for the public and hence the essential services couldn't be stopped," the Court orally observed when the counsel sought the court's permission to defer the hearing further in light of the conciliation meeting scheduled later.

On behalf of the respondent JAC, Adv. Maitreyi requested once again to defer the hearing. The Court, acceding to the counsel's request, accordingly listed the matter for June 23, 2026.

Before adjourning, the Division Bench cautioned the Unions:

 “Don't go on strike in between”.

Responding to this, Adv. Maitreyi submitted as below:

“…There is an order of this court and we have not gone beyond that”.

The Court also issued a clear direction that the interim order granted on May 19 stood extended until the next date of hearing.

Context

The Karnataka High Court, earlier on May 21 had extended its interim order restraining the Joint Action Committee (JAC) from going on an indefinite strike, observing that citizens have a fundamental right to transportation and should not suffer because of the dispute between the unions and the corporations.

“…. Citizens have a right to transportation. Both of you (trade unions & state) are fighting. They (citizens) should not be affected. We are not interfering with any of your [JAC] claims. You can agitate on that. Only on the strike are we concerned…That would affect a lot of people…”, the vacation bench of Justice Suraj Govind Raj and Justice K. Manmadha Rao had orally observed then.

On May 19, it was initially argued by the petitioners that any proposed strike when the conciliation proceedings were pending would violate Section 22(1)(d) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

For context, the unions in question consist of employees of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). As per the strike notice dated April 29, the unions were to go on indefinite strike from May 20.

60% out of the daily commuters in buses, as per the petitioners, are women who travel free of cost under the Government of Karnataka's Shakti Scheme, who would be left with no other option, the plea states. The petitioners also point out the inconvenience the indefinite strike would cause students from rural areas who rely on public transport to attend their SSLC supplementary exams [May 18-May 25].

The daily wage workers, hence, had prayed for the relief of granting a writ of mandamus, restraining the trade unions from proceeding with the indefinite strike, and appropriate directions to the state for preventing the strike and ensuring uninterrupted access to public transport.

Case Title: C. Vedavathi & Anr. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.

Case No: WP 15683/2026