Bengaluru Metro falls under Centre; State cannot regulate conduct of its employees: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that the Central government, not the State, is the “appropriate authority” for the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

The Court ruled that BMRCL qualifies as a “railway company” since the Centre exercises substantial control over its functioning. It found that the State government has no jurisdiction to regulate the service conditions or disciplinary matters of BMRCL employees.

Consequently, the Court quashed two State notifications declaring metro services as public utility and essential services.