Swiggy Zepto and Zomato Parent Challenge Karnataka Gig Workers Law in High Court

The parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, alongside Zepto and Swiggy, have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru to challenge the state's gig workers' welfare law. The legal action directly targets the Karnataka state government's enactment.

According to the petitioners, the state's welfare law is in direct conflict with the central code. The food delivery and quick-commerce companies argue that this clash between state and central regulations will lead to significant operational inconsistencies for their businesses.

To support their legal challenge, the companies have invoked the doctrine of repugnancy under Article 254 of the Constitution of India. This constitutional doctrine is applied when a state law conflicts with a central law. By invoking Article 254, the petitioners are asking the High Court to address these legal conflicts and resolve the operational inconsistencies arising from the state enactment.

The petition represents a major legal battle between the prominent quick-commerce and food delivery platforms and the Karnataka state government. The companies are seeking judicial intervention to determine the validity of the state's gig workers' welfare law in light of the existing central code.

The outcome of the petition before the Karnataka High Court will decide whether the state's regulatory framework can coexist with the central code, or if the doctrine of repugnancy will render the state-level gig workers' welfare provisions invalid.