Bengaluru: High Court of Karnataka has granted stay on the state government order of imposing provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on employees of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The state government had invoked ESMA following protest by BMRCL employees in July.

BMRCL union had moved the court challenging the imposition contending that the state government do not have the authority to impose ESMA as they come under the Ministry of Railways under the Central government.