'Public Can't Be Held To Ransom': Karnataka High Court Warns Trade Union Leaders Of Contempt For Continuing Strike Despite HC Order

A Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi was informed that three of the four unions remained on strike, even after the High Court's August 4 order as well as the Karnataka government's notification issued under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2013 (KSMA), prohibiting the same.

Taking serious note of the continued disruption of public transport in the state, the Bench orally observed:

"For office bearers (of the union), we will have to issue contempt. There is an order under KSMA passed by the Government, please read the consequence of the same. Strike is now illegal... Police can not arrest anyone who is supporting this, we will direct the arrest of concerned persons. As per law, the strike is illegal. Once notification is issued, strike is illegal".

The Court also noted that the public was being adversely affected by the continued agitation. It orally remarked thus:

"Public can't be held for ransom. No inconvenience can be caused to them".

Posting the matter for further hearing on Thursday (August 7), the Bench directed the counsel appearing for the unions to ensure that the strike is called off and to make a statement to that effect on record.

The bench was essentially hearing a PIL plea concerning the hardship caused to the public by a strike call issued by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of various trade unions of the state's public transport corporations.

Adjourning the matter till August 7, the Court said the interim order restraining the while trade unions of the transport corporations from going on strike will continue till then.