In Brief
The Supreme Court declined transfer petitions seeking consolidation of writ petitions challenging the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 from various High Courts. Over 140 petitions were pending before 18 High Courts. While the Union of India argued consolidation would prevent conflicting interpretations, the Court held that mere possibility of divergence cannot justify transfer under Article 139A. The Court emphasized that the Act's scheme assigns roles to Central and State Governments as the "appropriate Government," creating legitimate variation across States. The Court declined transfer and vacated interim stay orders, requesting High Courts to dispose matters expeditiously."
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