The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday restrained transport unions from going on an indefinite strike that was earlier scheduled to begin from May 20 onwards.
The vacation Bench of Justices Suraj Govindaraj and K Manmadha Rao issued the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition to restrain the proposed strike.
The strike was called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions comprising employees of the 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).
"The Respondent No. 7 (JAC) and its constituent unions are restrained from going on strike or acting on the strike notice dated 29.04.2026," the Court ordered.
The Court has also asked the State to fix a date to meet with the unions who had called the strike, to discuss their grievances.
"Learned Additional Advocate General seeks additional two days time to obtain instruction and make a submission as to when a meeting could be held between the representatives of respondent No.7 organization and the Minister for Transport and the Hon'ble Chief Minister," the Court recorded in its order.
The matter will be heard next on May 21.
The PIL petition before the Court was filed by a house maid and a construction worker, who argued that their livelihoods would be affected if the bus strike is allowed to proceed.
Trade unions had planned to withdraw services of all four State-run transport corporations (KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC) from May 20, if their grievances about pending arrear payments and a pay hike were not redressed by today.
The petitioners contended that the strike would adversely affect daily-wage earners, patients, elderly persons, the infirm, and the economically weaker sections who normally depend on public transport.
They further raised concerns that the 10th standard Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) supplementary exams are ongoing. The exams had commenced on May 18 and will continue till May 25.
The petitioners pointed out that the transport strike would also affect students taking these exams as well. Such students from rural and semi-urban areas may depend on KSRTC buses to reach their exam centres, the plea noted.
It was also highlighted that in December 2025, the State had declared KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC to be "public utility services" for a six month period (till June 30, 2026), meaning that such service providers could not go on strike during this period.
After hearing preliminary submissions, the Court has now restrained the conduct of the strike for now and directed the State to fix a date for talks with the transport unions.
Senior Advocate Vikram Huilgol appeared for the petitioners before the Court today.
Additional Advocate General Taranath Poojari represented the State and Department of Transport.
Advocate HR Renuka represented KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC.
Advocate Clifton D'Rozario represented the Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of KSRTC Employees.