The Delhi High Court reserved till Thursday its verdict on a plea by Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), an association of Air India pilots, challenging the single-judge order that restrained the pilots of the national carrier from going on an “illegal strike”.
A division bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Rajiv Shakdher reserved the order after Air India and IPG concluded their arguments.
Hearing a plea by Air India, Justice Reva Khetrapal had May 9 restrained the over 100 pilots, owing allegiance to the IPG, from continuing the strike over the rescheduling of Boeing 787 Dreamliner training and matters relating to their career progression.
The IPG Wednesday told the court that the single-judge had passed the ex-parte injunction order without authority.
“Where is the jurisdiction of Delhi High Court when IPG’s main office is in Mumbai. IPG only has one office in Delhi, and on that basis Air India can not move here,” IPG’s counsel said.
Restraining the pilots from continuing the strike, the single judge had said the guild, “its members, agents, office bearers are restrained from illegal strike”.
“The pilots are also restrained from reporting sick, demonstrating, holding dharnas, or resorting to any other modes of strike in and outside the petitioner company, including its offices in Delhi and outside, and also around airports.”
“Irreparable injury will be caused to petitioner (Air India) if such strike will be allowed to continue,” the court had said.Air India pilots claimed they were more experienced than the pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines and should, therefore, be preferred for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner training programme.
