Lekhana M v. The State of Karnataka

NC:(2025:KHC:49487-DB( WP(No.(35133(of(2025( ( , ,,HC-KAR( ( ( IN(THE(HIGH(COURT(OF(KARNATAKA(AT(BENGALURU(

THDATED(THIS(THE(28 (DAY(OF(NOVEMBER,(2025(

PRESENT( THE(HON'BLE(MR.(JUSTICE(JAYANT(BANERJI( AND(( THE(HON'BLE(MR.(JUSTICE(UMESH(M(ADIGA( ( WRIT(PETITION(NO.(35133(OF(2025((EDN-RES)(

( BETWEEN:(( (

1., LEKHANA,M, D/O,MALLESH,G,B, AGED,ABOUT,25,YEARS, R/AT,#836/5,,SANTHOSI,MAA,,, RD ST3 ,MAIN,,1 ,CROSS,,,

SARASHWATHI,NAGAR,,, A,BLOCK,,NITTUVALLI,,, DAVANAGERE,-,577,004, ,

2., SANTHOSH,NAIK, S/O,TAKRYA,NAIK, Digitally AGED,ABOUT,25,YEARS,, signedtiby0K0G R/AT,DODDATANDA,,HOLEBENAVALLI,,,RENUKAMBA SHIVAMOGA,-,577,222, Location: , HIGH0COURT

3., NEHA,D,OF D/O,K,DIVAKAR,KARNATAKA AGED,ABOUT,33,YEARS,, R/AT,DURGA,NILAYA,,, ND2 ,CROSS,,HOSAMANE,,, SHIVAMOGA,-,577,201., ,

4., RAKESH, S/O,PUTTA,NAIK, AGED,ABOUT,25,YEARS,, R/AT,RANGENAHALLI,VILLAGE,, BIRUR,HOBLI,,KADUR,TQ,, CHIKMANGALURU,DISTRICT,–,577,548., , NC:(2025:KHC:49487-DB( WP(No.(35133(of(2025( ( , ,,HC-KAR( ( (

5., PAVAN,M, S/O,MALLESH,NAIK,, AGED,ABOUT,26,YEARS,, R/AT,NEAR,FLOOR,MILL,, KASHIPURA,,MALLAPURA,POST,, CHANNAGIRI,TQ., DAVANAGERE,DT.,–,577,218., …PETITIONERS, (BY,SRI.,RAGHAVENDRA,A.S.,,ADVOCATE), ( AND:( (

1., THE,STATE,OF,KARNATAKA, REP.,BY,ITS,PRINCIPAL,SECRETARY,,, DEPARTMENT,OF,HIGHER,EDUCATION,,, VIDHANA,SOUDHA,,BENGALURU,-,560,001., ,

2., KARNATAKA,EXAMINATION,AUTORITY, TH18 ,CROSS,ROAD,,SAMPIGE,ROAD,,, MALLESHWARAM,,BENGALURU,–,560,012, …RESPONDENTS, (BY,SMT.,ANITHA,N.,,AGA,FOR,, ,,,,,,SRI.,REUBEN,JACOB,,AAG,FOR,R1;, ,,,,,,SRI.,N,K,RAMESH,,ADV.,FOR,R2), , , , THIS,WRIT,PETITION,IS,FILED,UNDER,ARTICLES,226,AND,227, OF,THE,CONSTITUTION,OF,INDIA,PRAYING,TO,i),ISSUE,A,WRIT,OF, CERTIORARI, OR, ANY, OTHER, APPROPRIATE, WRIT,, ORDER,, OR, DIRECTION,, QUASHING, THE, SEAT, MATRIX, FOR, PG, MEDICAL, COURSES, 2025, DATED, 11/11/2025, (ANNEXURE-F), WITH, RESPECT, TO,SC,CATEGORY,,INSOFAR,AS,IT,INTRODUCES,AND,IMPLEMENTS, THE, SUB-CLASSIFICATION, OF, SEATS, FOR, SCHEDULED, CASTE, CANDIDATES,INTO,SC(a),,SC(b),AND,SC(c),CATEGORIES,AND,ETC., , , THIS,WRIT,PETITION,,COMING,ON,FOR,ORDERS,,THIS,DAY,, ORDER,WAS,MADE,THEREIN,AS,UNDER:, ,

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE UMESH M ADIGA

ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI)

The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that the seat matrix for PG Medical Courses of 2025 dated

11.11.2025 with respect to the Scheduled Caste category, insofar as it introduces and implements sub-classification of seats for Scheduled Caste candidates into SC(a), SC(b) and SC(c) categories, is wholly illegal and therefore, it deserves to be set aside.

¶2The learned Additional Advocate General Sri.Reuben Jacob assisted by Smt.Anita N., the learned Additional Government Advocate has stated that the internal reservation details with regard to admission had been implemented on the basis of a notification of 25.08.2025. It is stated that this sub-classification of the Schedule Caste categories in which overall 17% reservation is accorded, comprises of 6% reservation for SC(a), 6% reservation for SC(b) and, 5% reservation for SC(c). His contention is that the

petitioners fall under SC(c) category as per their own admission. It is stated that, that being the case, the petitioners can have no grounds as to the category of reservation particularly when the notification implementing the aforesaid sub-classification is not under challenge in the present petition.

¶3The learned counsel for the Karnataka Examinations Authority states that the admitted case of the petitioners is that they are in sub-category (c) of Scheduled Caste candidates, which classification was implemented by means of notification of 25.08.2025. He states that in the mock allotment list, three of the petitioners namely petitioner Nos.1, 3 and 4 respectively Lekhana M, Neha D and Rakesh have already obtained admission. It is stated that, that being the case, and given the fact that the seat allotment is being done wholly in a computerized environment without there being any manual intervention, in strict compliance of the order of merit, this petition deserves to be dismissed. It is further stated by him that the final list is to be declared tomorrow.

¶4In view of the respective statements made at the bar by the Additional Advocate General and by the learned

counsel appearing for the KEA, we find no reason to interfere in this petition. For the reasons aforesaid, this petition is dismissed.

In view of dismissal of this petition, pending I.A.No.1/2025 stands dismissed.

Sd/- (JAYANT BANERJI) JUDGE

Sd/- (UMESH M ADIGA) JUDGE

KG List No.: 1 Sl No.: 8