The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the transport strike despite its interim order and warned of contempt proceedings, following which the KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation announced suspension of the agitation till August 7, when the matter will be heard next.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi expressed strong displeasure over the strike being carried out despite the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the court's direction not to proceed with the agitation.

The bench warned that the continuation of the strike would not be tolerated and would initiate contempt proceedings against the union leaders.