Delhi Labour Union v. Union Of India And ORS

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ DELHI LABOUR UNION .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Rajiv Agarwal, Ms. Meghna De and Mr. Ishaan Goel, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents Through:

Mr. Manish Kumar, SPC with Mr.

Kumar Gaurav, Mr. Rishav Kashyap, GP and Mr. Azad Singh, Advocates for R-1 and R-2.

Ms.

Avnish Ahlawat, Standing Counsel with Ms. Tania Ahlawat, Mr.

Nitesh Kumar Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr.

Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocates for GNCTD.

CORAM:

HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA

O R D E R

% 22.05.2026 1.

Heard the learned Counsel for the Parties.

2.

By instituting the proceedings of this Public Interest Litigation Petition, a serious concern has been raised in respect of high pendency of the industrial disputes before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal No. I. 3.

The learned Counsel for the Petitioner has stated that in just one tribunal, i.e., Central Government Industrial Tribunal No. I more than 14,000 cases are pending, whereas there are other Industrial Tribunals, which are not burdened with so much of work.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

4.

The learned Counsel for the Petitioner has stated that having regard to these facts, some rationalization and equi-distribution of the cases pending before different Tribunals is required.

5.

For redressal of its grievances, the Petitioner has already represented its cause by way of making a representation dated 16.02.2026 and, thereafter, again representing the authorities on 13.03.2026. The said representations are contained in Annexures P-7 and P-8 appended to the Writ Petition.

6.

Our attention has been drawn to Section 92(3) of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 ("Code"), which empowers the Central Government to empower a Tribunal constituted by the State Government to entertain and dispose of the cases arising within their respective jurisdiction under the provisions of the Code where the appropriate Government is the Central Government. Section 92(3) of the Code is extracted herein below: "92. Power to transfer certain proceedings.

(3) The Central Government may, by notification, and for reasons to be stated therein, empower a Tribunal constituted by the State Government to entertain and dispose of the cases arising within their respective jurisdiction under the provisions of this Code where the appropriate Government is the Central Government." 7.

Considering the concentration of the pendency of the cases in Central Government Industrial Tribunal No. I, we are of the opinion that an exercise needs to be undertaken by the Central Government to equally distribute the cases amongst the Tribunals and Labour Courts functioning in Delhi. 8.

Accordingly, we direct that an appropriate Authority of the Central Government shall take into consideration the representations dated 16.02.2026 and 13.03.2026 made by the Petitioner. The said Authority shall The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

take an appropriate decision, which may be warranted looking into the facts and circumstances as depicted in the Writ Petition and in accordance with law. The said decision under this Order shall be taken by the Competent Authority of the Central Government within two months from today. 9.

The Writ Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. 10.

We request the learned Standing Counsel for Central Government to apprise the Competent Authority of the Central Government of this Order forthwith. The decision which may be taken by the Competent Authority shall also be intimated to the Petitioner.

DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TEJAS KARIA, J MAY 22, 2026 ap The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.