India, July 5 -- ".the amount is not being demanded by the state as a charity. It is demanded in terms of promulgation of a legislation. Therefore. the amount of the second quarter shall be deposited with this court within three weeks from today."

With these observations, the Karnataka High Court refused to stay the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 earlier this week, directing platform aggregators to deposit the disputed welfare contribution with the court registry while the constitutional challenge proceeds.

The interim order marked the latest chapter in what could become one of the most consequential legal battles over India's gig economy. At stake is not merely a 1% welfare contribution but...