Bengaluru, Aug 5: The indefinite bus strike by Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees across Karnataka was called off on Tuesday after the Karnataka High Court issued a stern warning of arrest and contempt proceedings against union leaders.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), strongly criticised the RTC Joint Action Committee for defying court orders and the state government’s invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). The court extended its stay on the strike until August 7 and issued notices to the employees’ organisations.
The court stressed that the public must not be held hostage during disputes. “If issues exist, resolve them through dialogue. Continued disruption will invite contempt and arrest under ESMA,” the bench warned.
Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty informed the court that the strike had crippled public transport and discussions were ongoing under the Industrial Disputes Act. The bench directed the state and unions to confirm strike withdrawal by Wednesday.
Following the court’s directive, Joint Action Committee Chairman Ananth Subbarao announced that the strike was being postponed in respect of the judiciary. He urged all RTC staff to resume duty immediately.
Subbarao clarified that the strike had begun before receiving the court’s order. He said the primary demand—payment of 38 months’ arrears—remains unresolved, with the government agreeing to only 14 months, resulting in a funding gap of ₹1,000 crore.
Earlier in the day, bus services were paralysed statewide, including in Bengaluru and northern districts. Private buses were deployed, but women passengers—who travel free on government buses—had to pay fares, leading to widespread inconvenience.
The PIL petitioner, advocate Deeksha Amrutesh, noted that five labour organisations jointly organised the strike.
