Telangana HC pulls up Zomato, govt over sudden deactivation of delivery agent’s ID

Hyderabad: A Zomato delivery worker alleged that the company arbitrarily and illegally deactivated his worker ID without notice or hearing.

Based on the writ petition filed by him, the Telangana High Court has issued notice to Zomato India, the State government and the Labour Commissioner.

The case has once again brought to the fore the growing concerns over job security and lack of grievance redressal for gig and platform workers.

Sudden deactivation pushes family into crisis

The petitioner, Mohd. Khaleel Ahmed (35), a Zomato delivery partner and the sole earning member of his family, was earning about Rs 15,000 per month when his worker ID (FE1342997) was abruptly blocked on November 7, 2024.

The deactivation was allegedly based on a vague charge of ‘behavioural issue,’ without prior intimation, without disclosing the alleged complaint and without giving him an opportunity to defend himself.

Despite maintaining a high customer rating of 4.85 on the platform, Khaleel was informed at Zomato’s Hyderabad office that his ID had been permanently blocked and that there was no longer any employer–worker relationship.

The sudden loss of income reportedly pushed the family into rent arrears, financial distress and severe mental trauma.

Labour authorities fail to secure company’s response

After the deactivation, Khaleel approached the Labour Department and filed a complaint before the Labour Commissioner on December 11, 2024.

The case was later referred to the Joint Commissioner of Labour, who issued notices to Zomato on February 4 and May 6, seeking a joint hearing.

However, the company allegedly neither appeared for the hearings nor submitted any response. Khaleel also lodged a grievance on the CPGRAMS portal (No. MOLBRE20250019707).

Ultimately, on June 13, the Joint Commissioner expressed inability to proceed further due to the company’s non-cooperation and advised the worker to seek legal remedy.

High Court issues notice

Left with no alternative, Khaleel approached the Telangana High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking reinstatement of his Zomato ID, compensation for loss of livelihood and directions for a fair grievance redressal mechanism for gig workers.

The matter (W.P. No. 36194 of 2025) came up before Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka on Wednesday, who issued notice to the State of Telangana, the Labour Commissioner and Zomato India Pvt. Ltd. The petition was argued by Advocate Syed Mounis Abidi.

Key legal arguments

During the hearing, it was contended that an aggregator company like Zomato cannot arbitrarily block a worker’s ID based on undisclosed allegations without following the principles of natural justice.

Such action, it was argued, violates the fundamental right to livelihood under Article 21 and the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.

The petition also alleged that the State government and Labour Department failed in their constitutional and statutory duty to protect gig and platform workers by allowing the company to ignore official notices without taking enforcement action.

Union welcomes court’s intervention

Welcoming the High Court’s decision to issue notice, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) expressed gratitude to Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka for taking cognisance of the plight of gig workers.

The union also thanked Advocates Syed Mounis Abidi and Asif Ali Zaidi for representing the worker pro bono and social activist S.Q. Masood for extending research support.

Strong condemnation of arbitrary deactivations

The union strongly condemned what it described as the opaque practice of blocking gig and platform workers’ IDs without due process.

It said that such actions instantly cut off workers from their only source of income, pushing families into debt and distress, and amounted to an assault on their right to life with dignity.

Referring to the Code on Social Security, 2020, the union said that while gig and platform workers are legally recognised, the protections become meaningless if companies are allowed to unilaterally deactivate workers without transparent procedures or a right of appeal.

Union’s demands

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union placed the following demands before the authorities:

- Immediate reinstatement of Mohd. Khaleel’s Zomato ID with all consequential benefits and suitable compensation for the loss of livelihood and mental trauma suffered.

- Recognition of gig and platform workers as ‘workers’ in substance, with effective social security, due process safeguards and protection against arbitrary delisting or deactivation.

Call for solidarity

The union has called upon fellow workers, trade unions, civil society organisations and concerned citizens to stand in solidarity with Khaleel and thousands of gig workers facing similar arbitrary actions, and to support the demand for stronger legal protections and accountability from both the State and platform companies.