Authority: High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru

Order Date: 8 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petition: Writ Petition No. 10470 of 2025 (L‑KSRTC) filed by the Divisional Controller, Bengaluru Mahanagara Transport Corporation (BMTC), Depot No.18, under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India.
  • Petitioner: BMTC represented by the Chief Law Officer, BMTC, Central Offices, K.H. Road, Shanthinagar, Bengaluru‑560 027.
  • Respondent: Sri Ashok N., son of Narayana Reddy, aged about 49 years, residing at Naduvathi Village, Hosakote, Bengaluru‑560 067.
  • Counsel: Sri B.L. Sanjeev, Advocate for the petitioner; the respondent appeared without counsel and voluntarily signed the joint settlement memo.
  • Background: The dispute related to the dismissal of the respondent from BMTC service. An interim order had been granted earlier, and an award dated 04‑Nov‑2024 was passed by the III Additional Labour Court, Bengaluru (I.D. No.421/2021).

Joint Settlement Memo

The parties submitted a joint memo stating:

1. The respondent will be reinstated with continuity of service, but without consequential benefits, back wages, or any interim relief from the date of dismissal to the date of reporting to work, as per the final order dated 10‑Feb‑2023 in W.P.11160/2022.

2. The respondent agrees to the postponement of one annual increment for a period of two years, effective from the date of reporting to work, as per the same final order.

3. The respondent undertakes not to participate in or instigate any strike by loyal employees in the future and will not be absent from duty during any strike period.

  • The respondent affirmed that he does not wish to engage any counsel and has voluntarily signed the memo.
  • Both parties expressed that they will not seek any recall or modification of the order once passed.

Court Findings & Directions

  • The oral submissions and the joint memo were placed on record.
  • The Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the joint memo.
  • Consequently, the award dated 04‑Nov‑2024 passed by the III Additional Labour Court, Bengaluru (I.D. No.421/2021) is modified in accordance with the joint memo.
  • Any interim order previously granted stands discharged, and any pending interlocutory applications, if any, are also disposed of.

Final Outcome

The High Court orders the reinstatement of Ashok N. to BMTC service without back wages or consequential benefits, postpones one annual increment for two years, and imposes a non‑participation undertaking for future strikes. The earlier award is modified, and all interim reliefs are terminated.

Topics: Legal Settlement, Employment Dispute, Court Order