Authority: High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru
Order Date: 9 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: A group of eight employees (physiotherapist, ayurvedic practitioners, nurse, matron, labour‑room attender, etc.) of Ashwini Ayurvedic Medical College & PG Centre Hospital filed Writ Petition No. 16079 of 2025 under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking (a) a writ of mandamus directing payment of minimum wages and arrears as per Notification No. KAE 125 LWA 2015 dated 06‑01‑2017, and (b) a writ of certiorari to quash the college’s endorsement Ref. No. AMC/792/24‑25 dated 27‑01‑2025 which denied such entitlement.
- Respondents: (1) The Chairman and (2) The Principal of Ashwini Ayurvedic Medical College & PG Centre Hospital.
- Counsel for petitioners: Sri Gopalakrishnamurthy C., Advocate.
- Counsel for respondents: Sri Jagadeeshgoud Patil and Sri Mallikarjun G. Contractor, Advocates.
- The respondents submitted that the petitioners had already approached the Labour Commissioner for minimum‑wage relief and that the matter was pending before that authority; they requested that the petition be dismissed.
- The Court observed that any claim for minimum wages must be filed before the Labour Commissioner and, since the petitioners had already invoked that jurisdiction, they should pursue the grievance there.
- Consequently, the Court found no ground to quash the endorsement issued by the college because the appropriate administrative remedy was already in motion.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition is disposed of; the interim order (if any) stands discharged and any pending interlocutory applications are also disposed.
Topics: Labor Law, Minimum Wages