BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday stayed the Urban Development Department's order invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to stop a strike by Bengaluru Metro Rail officers and employees.
The department had invoked ESMA after BMRCL employees went on a flash strike after a clash between fellow employees and police personnel.
The BMRCL Employees Union challenged the department’s orders dated July 7, 2017, on grounds that the state has no power to invoke ESMA as BMRCL employees come under the central government.
The court issued notices to the state and central governments and BMRCL.