BDK VALVES PRIVATE LIMITED vs KAREPPA MAREPPA WALIKAR — CP/100213/2026

B. Muralidhara PaiView PDF

Case Summary: CP/100213/2026 - BDK Valves Private Limited v. Kareppa Mareppa Walikar Court: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench Date: 12 June 2026 Judge: Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. Muralidhara Pai Case Overview BDK Valves Private Limited sought to transfer industrial disputes pending before the Labour Court, Hubballi to Industrial Tribunals under the newly enacted Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The company terminated 140+ workers on 27 November 2024 for alleged grave misconduct related to illegal strike participation. A trade union subsequently filed industrial disputes before the Labour Court. Key Issues 1. Whether pending Labour Court cases should be transferred to Industrial Tribunals under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 2. Whether the Labour Court retains jurisdiction after the Code's commencement on 21 November 2025 3. Applicability of Section 24 CPC and Articles 226-227 of the Constitution for such transfer Court's Decision The petitions were dismissed. Reasoning The court held that: 1. Statutory authorities continue functioning: Government notifications dated 8 December 2025 and 2 February 2026 clarified that existing Labour Courts shall continue functioning until corresponding authorities are appointed under the Code, ensuring continuity and avoiding administrative vacuum. 2. Section 24 CPC inapplicable: Special tribunal cases cannot be transferred under general CPC provisions. Transfer under the Industrial Relations Code is governed by statutory provisions (Section 92 of the Code). 3. No grounds for writ jurisdiction: Constitutional remedies (Articles 226-227) apply only for bias, natural justice violations, or special circumstances—not for jurisdictional disagreements. 4. Tribunals not yet constituted: The Industrial Tribunals under the Code have not been established, making transfer impossible. The court rejected the petitioner's contention that Labour Courts lack jurisdiction and emphasized that continuity of adjudication must be maintained during the transition period. 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/100213/2026