Journalism of Courage
The ongoing legal battle between Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana (VKKS) and the Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) took a new turn with the union deciding to challenge the jurisdiction of the second labour judge MS Bodhankar to hear the case.
While hearing the arguments,Justice Bodhankar said the court had the powers and jurisdiction to hear the case. This prompted VKKS lawyer AY Shikarkhane to say the union might move the industrial tribunal.
The BAL management had moved the labour court seeking the ongoing strike of the unions led by VKKS be declared illegal. Earlier,the case was being heard by Justice NS Kole,who was subsequently asked to take up the responsibilty of district judge of Pune. Following this,Justice Bodhankar was appointed to hear the case.
In his previous order,Justice Kole had decided to continue hearing the case without taking into consideration the statement of the union as it had failed to respond to notices issued by the court in stipulated time. The next date of hearing is August 12. Meanwhile,BAL claimed that as many as 924 labourers reported to work at the Chakan plant on Wednesday.
