New Delhi, June 13
The Delhi High Court today sought the response of the Centre and Air India within a week on the striking pilots’ plea for immediate payment of their salaries and other emoluments.

Issuing notice on a petition filed by Capt Sumeer Saini and other pilots, Justice SP Garg however wanted to know as to how their plea could be justified when they were still on strike.

Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Pinki Anand said the backwages had noting to do with the strike as these pertained to the period prior to May 7 when they had launched their agitation.

Contending that salaries and perks of nearly 450 pilots were due, counsel Anand said the pilots had to pay equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on their loans. They had other commitments too.

The airlines management, however, opposed the pilots’ plea, contending that the court could not entertain it in the midst of their strike. The HC had already declared the strike illegal, while contempt proceedings were on against the pilots for not resuming their duty in compliance with the court order. A Division Bench of the High Court has also rejected their plea, challenging the order of the single judge.

Pilots are on strike, reporting sick and staging demonstrations following sacking of 10 pilots and derecognition of their union.