Dr. Rangaswamy M v. The State of Karnataka

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 15TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI WRIT PETITION NO. 31315 OF 2025 (S-RES) BETWEEN:

DR. RANGASWAMY M S/O. LATE MARADI RANGAIAH, AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 242, 12TH MAIN, JNANABHARATHI, 2ND STAGE, BDA LAYOUT, BANGALORE-560 056.

PRESENTLY WORKING AT AND AS GUEST FACULTY (FULL TIME) POLITICAL SCIENCE, B.A. UG COURSE, JNANABHARATHI CAMPUS, BANGALORE UNIVERSITY, BANGALORE-560 056.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. A G SRIDHAR., ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally signed by SHILPABAI S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

¶1THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE-560 001.

¶2THE VICE CHANCELLOR BANGALORE UNIVERSITY, BANGALORE-560 056.

¶3THE REGISTRAR ADMINISTRATION, JNANABHARATHI CAMPUS, BANGALORE UNIVERSITY, BANGALORE-560056. …RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. G RAMESH NAIK, AGA FOR R1 SRI. PRASANNA B R ., ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R3)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED CORRESPONDENCE/ORDER DTD

24.09.2025 AT DOCUMENT NO.1 PASSED BY THE R3 VIDE NO.EST-2/E3/GF/2025.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI

ORAL ORDER

The petitioner filed this petition seeking the following reliefs: "1. Allow this writ petition by quashing the impugned Endorsement/Correspondence/order dated: 24-09-2025 at ANNEXURE-A passed by the Respondent NO.3, vide No.EST-2/E3/GF/2025.

¶2Such other order or directions as this Hon'ble Court deems fit under the facts and circumstances of the case: in the interest of justice and equity."

¶2Brief facts leading rise to the filing of this petition are as follows:

2.1. The petitioner is an M.A., graduate and obtained a Ph.D., in Political Science and has served as a Lecturer for about 23 years in different colleges in Bengaluru. The petitioner has served as Guest Lecturer in Bangalore University since from 2018 till 2025 in Ramanagara PG Centre and Bangalore University UG Course. The petitioner is the author and had published

many books and articles for the students in the academic years for the welfare of the students. One Ambika had lodged a false complaint against one Swaroop Kumar and three others including the petitioner. The Police have registered a criminal case in Crime No.303/2025 on

08.09.2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 75, 79, 351(2) and 352 of BNS 2023. Respondent No.3, based on the complaint, has unilaterally passed the impugned order by dropping the name of the petitioner from the post of selected Guest Lecturer without even giving the notice. Hence, the petitioner, aggrieved by the order of relieving, filed this writ petition.

¶3Respondent No.3 has filed a statement of objections contending that, the petitioner is involved in a criminal case and for the said reason, had been relieved from the service. Accordingly, prays to dismiss the writ petition.

¶4Heard the arguments of the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned AGA for respondent No.1 and learned counsel for respondent Nos.2 and 3 – University.

¶5Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, the name of the petitioner has been dropped from the charge sheet. He submits that, the complainant has lodged a false complaint against the petitioner. He submits that, the petitioner is eligible for the post of Guest Lecturer. Hence, on these grounds, he prays to allow the writ petition.

¶6Per contra, learned counsel for respondent Nos.2 and 3 submits that, the academic year 2025-26 is already over and the respondents-University will consider the request of the petitioner for the next academic year. Hence, on this ground, he prays to dispose of the writ petition.

¶7Perused the records and considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties.

¶8Admittedly, the petitioner was serving in the respondents-University as a Guest Lecturer from 2018, and he was relieved from the post on the ground that a criminal case was pending against him. The petitioner has filed a memo along with the charge sheet dated

29.04.2026, which clearly discloses that the name of the petitioner has been dropped from the charge sheet during the investigation. Admittedly, no other case is pending against the petitioner.

¶9As the learned counsel for the respondents-University submits that the academic year 2025-26 came to an end, the question of considering the request of the petitioner for appointment for the post of Guest Lecturer for the academic year 2025-26 would not arise. In view of the conclusion of the academic year 2025-26, learned counsel for the respondents-University submits that the respondents-University will consider the case of the petitioner for appointment for the post of Guest Lecturer for the academic year 2026-27.

¶10In view of the above discussion, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petition is disposed of; ii. A liberty is reserved to the petitioner to make an application to the respondents-University for appointment for the post of Guest Lecturer for the academic year 2026-27; iii. If such an application is made, the respondents-University are directed to consider the same and pass an appropriate order in accordance with law; iv. Pending IA(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

Sd/- (ASHOK S.KINAGI) JUDGE

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