BDK VALVES PRIVATE LIMITED vs VASANT — CP/100157/2026

B. Muralidhara PaiView PDF

Summary of CP/100157/2026: BDK VALVES PRIVATE LIMITED vs VASANT Court: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench Date: June 12, 2026 Judge: Justice B. Muralidhara Pai Case Facts BDK Valves Private Limited (a manufacturing company) terminated the services of 163 employees on November 27, 2024, on grounds of grave misconduct arising from participation in an illegal strike. The affected workers, through their trade union (Weir BDK Valves Worker Union), raised industrial disputes before the Labour Court, Hubballi, under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Key Issue The petitioner sought to transfer all pending industrial dispute cases from the Labour Court, Hubballi to Industrial Tribunals constituted under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, arguing that: 1. The Industrial Relations Code came into force on November 21, 2025 2. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 stands repealed 3. Section 51 of the new Code mandates automatic transfer of pending cases 4. Labour Courts lack jurisdiction to proceed under the repealed law Court's Decision The petitions were DISMISSED. Key Reasoning 1. Government Clarifications Override: The Central Government issued notifications (dated December 8, 2025 and February 2, 2026) under Section 103 of the Industrial Relations Code clarifying that existing Labour Courts and statutory authorities shall continue functioning until corresponding authorities are appointed under the new Code. 2. No Tribunals Yet Constituted: The Industrial Tribunals under the Code have not yet been established. Section 24 CPC cannot be exercised to transfer cases to non-existent forums. 3. Statutory Transfer Mechanism: Transfer of proceedings under the ID Act is governed by Section 33B(1) of that Act and Section 92(1) of the Code—powers vested with the appropriate government, not the High Court. 4. Continuity of Functions: The clarifications ensure continuity of adjudication and prevent legal/administrative vacuum pending establishment of new Tribunals. 5. Jurisdictional Issue Mischaracterized: Labour Courts retain jurisdiction to proceed under the transitional provisions until new authorities are appointed. Conclusion The court upheld the Central Government's transitional framework prioritizing administrative continuity over strict literal interpretation of Section 51. The Labour Court, Hubballi retains jurisdiction to adjudicate the pending industrial disputes. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

Orders

B. Muralidhara Pai

First hearing

Initial hearing scheduled

Case filed

Registration No. CP/100157/2026