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2022 Supreme(Kar) 1035
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
P. Krishna Bhat, J.
Gangamma - Appellant
Versus
Karnataka State Open University Mukthagangothri - Respondent
Writ Petition No. 32792 of 2019(EDN-RES), with, Writ Petition No. 53527 of 2017(EDN-RES), Writ Petition No. 1666 of 2018(EDN-RES), Writ Petition No. 13951 of 2019(EDN-RES), Writ Petition No. 13953 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 14903 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 29605 Of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 29878 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 30121 Of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 30278 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 30808 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 31121 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 32729 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 32767 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 33066 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 35151 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 35193 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 35230 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 36727 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 36743 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 41143 of 2019(Edn-Res), Writ Petition No. 50044 of 2019(Edn-Res), W.P. No. 32792/2019 W.P. No. 53527/2017, W.P. No. 1666/2018, W.P. No. 13951/2019, W.P. No. 13953/2019, W.P. No. 14903/2019, W.P. No. 29605/2019, W.P. No. 29878/2019, W.P. No. 30121/2019, W.P. No. 30278/2019, W.P. No. 30808/2019, W.P. No. 31121/2019, W.P. No. 32729/2019, W.P. No. 32767/2019, W.P. No. 33066/2019, W.P. No. 35151/2019, W.P. No. 35193/2019, W.P. No. 35230/2019, W.P. No. 36727/2019, W.P. No. 36743/2019, W.P. No. 41143/2019
Decided On : 03-08-2022
Smt. Kumari.M, Advocate, for the Petitioners; Smt:- Lakshmi Shree Shyni Parayandara Valappil, Advocate, for the Petitioners; Sri. Rajendra M.S, Advocate, for the Petitioners; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 30121/2019; Sri. Showri. H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 2 in W.P. No. 30121/2019;:- Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent Nos. 3 & 4 in W.P. No. 30121/2019; Sri. D. Vijaya Kumar, Advocate, for the Petitioner in in W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. Raju K.V, Advocate, for the Petitioner in W.P. No. 13951/2019 & W.P. No. 13953/2019; Sri. Shivarudra, Advocate, for the Petitioner in W.P. No. 30121/2019; Sri. Sri Hari A.V, Advocate, for the Petitioner in W.P. No. 35230/2019; Sri. Rajendra, M.S, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 29605/2019; Sri. Anil Kumar J.M, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 29878/2019; Sri. Shivarudra, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 30278/2019; Sri. Rajendra M.S. Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 31121/2019; Sri. Sri Hari A.V, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 32729/2019 &; Smt. Lakshmi Shree, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 33066/2019; Sri. Sri Hari A.V, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No. 35151/2019, W.P. No. 35193/2019, W.P. No. 36727/2019 & W.P. No. 36743/2019; Smt. Anasuya Devi K.S, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No.41143/2019; Smt. Kumari.M, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P.No. 14903/2019; Sri. A. Nagarajappa, Advocate, for the Petitioners in W.P. No.1666/2018; Sri. T.P. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Adv.;, for the Respondent No, 1; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No, 1 in W.P. No. 30808/2019 & W.P. No.41143/2019; Sri. Showri H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No, 2 in W.P. No. 30808/2019 & W.P. No.41143/2019; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No, 3; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No, 3 in W.P. No. 30808/2019, W.P. No.41143/2019; Sri. N.K. Ramesh, Advocate, for the Respondent No, 4 in W.P. No. 30808/2019; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 29605/2019; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 29878/2019; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 30278/2019 & W.P. No. 31121/2019; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 32729/2019, W.P. No. 32767/2019 , W.P. No. 33066/2019, W.P. No. 35151/2019, W.P. No. 35193/2019,, W.P. No. 35230/2019 & W.P. No.36743/2019; Sri. M.P. Srikanth, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 1 in W.P. No. 36727/2019; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No. 2; Sri. Showri H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 2; Sri. Showri H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 2 in W.P. No. 29605/2019, W.P. No. 29878/2019, W.P. No. 30278/2019, W.P. No. 31121/2019, W.P. No. 32729/2019,. W.P. No. 32767/2019, W.P. No. 33066/2019, W.P. No. 35151/2019, W.P. No. 35193/2019; Sri. Showri H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 2 in W.P. No. 35230/2019, W.P. No. 36727/2019, W.P. No.36743/2019 & W.P.No. 14903/2019; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No. 3 in W.P. No. 29605/2019; Sri. M.P. Srikanth, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 3 in W.P. No. 29878/2019; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA, for the Respondent No. 3 in W.P. No. 30278/2019, W.P. No. 31121/2019, W.P. No. 32729/2019, W.P. No. 32767/2019, W.P. No. 33066/2019, W.P. No. 35151/2019, W.P. No. 35193/2019, W.P. No. 35230/2019, W.P. No. 36727/2019, W.P. No.36743/2019 & W.P.No. 14903/2019; . Smt. Sinchana M.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 3 in W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. N.K. Ramesh, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 4 in W.P. No. 29605/2019 & W.P. No. 30278/2019; Sri. Showri H.R, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 4 in W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent No. 5 in W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. N. Kumar, CGC, for the Respondent No. 6 in W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA.;, for the Respondent Nos. 1 & 2 in W.P. No. 13951/2019 , W.P. No. 13953/2019 & W.P. No.53527/2017; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent Nos. 3 & 2 in W.P. No. 13953/2019; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the Respondent Nos. 3 & 4 in W.P. No. 13951/2019 & W.P.No. 14903/2019; Sri. M.P. Srikanth, Advocate, for the Respondent Npo. 1; Sri.N. Kumar Advocate, for the RespondentNo. 1 in W.P.NO.1666/2018; Sri. Showri H.R. Advocate, for the RespondentNo. 4 in W.P.NO.1666/2018; Sri. K.R. Krishna Murthy, Advocate, for the RespondentNo. 5 in W.P.No.1666/2018; Sri. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, Advocate, for the RespondentNo. 6 in W.P.NO.1666/2018; Sri. B.V. Krishna, AGA;, for the RespondentNos. 2 & 3 in W.P.NO.1666/2018
The court emphasized the obligation of KSOU to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the petitioners, and directed UGC to conduct an enquiry to determine any infraction in imparting instructions by KSOU.
Headnote:
UGC Act, 1956 - KSOU - Section 5 of KSOU Act, 1992 - UGC Regulations, 1985 - The court directed KSOU to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the petitioners, instructed the State of Karnataka and KPSC to consider the petitioners' applications for employment, and mandated UGC to conduct an enquiry to ascertain any infraction in imparting instructions by KSOU.
Fact of the Case:
Various petitioners sought writ of certiorari to quash the public notice issued by UGC on 16.06.2015 and writ of mandamus to KSOU to issue marks cards and degree certificates for the courses taken and passed by them, and to UGC to recognize the degrees earned by the petitioners through the 'In-House System' of KSOU.
Finding of the Court:
The court directed KSOU to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the petitioners, instructed the State of Karnataka and KPSC to consider the petitioners' applications for employment, and mandated UGC to conduct an enquiry to ascertain any infraction in imparting instructions by KSOU.
Issues: Petitioners sought quashing of UGC's public notice and issuance of marks cards and degree certificates by KSOU. They also sought recognition of degrees by UGC and consideration for employment by the State of Karnataka and KPSC.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that KSOU is obligated to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the petitioners, and directed UGC to conduct an enquiry to determine any infraction in imparting instructions by KSOU.
Final Decision: The court directed KSOU to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the petitioners, instructed the State of Karnataka and KPSC to consider the petitioners' applications for employment, and mandated UGC to conduct an enquiry to ascertain any infraction in imparting instructions by KSOU.
JUDGMENT
1. Various petitioners in these batch of writ petitions are affected by the public notice dated 16.06.2015 issued by the University Grants Commission (for short 'UGC') in the purported exercise of its power under University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (for short 'UGC Act, 1956'). They had pursued various courses under the aegis of Karnataka State Open University (for short 'KSOU'), which is created under the Karnataka State Open University Act, 1992 ('KSOU Act, 1992' for short) under 'In-House System' (admission of students directly by the KSOU to the courses offered by it). The details of courses taken by the various petitioners under the 'In- House System' are as follows:
| S. No. | Case No. | No. Petitioner | Course | Year |
| 01. | W.P. NO. 32792/2019 | 26 | B.ED, B.ED SPECIAL | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 02. | W.P. NO. 53527/2017 | 01 | BA | 2013-2014 |
| 03. | W.P. NO. 1666/2018 | 02 | MA | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 04. | W.P. NO. 13951/2019 | 01 | MA | 2015-2016 |
| 05. | W.P. NO. 13953/2019 | 01 | B.ED 2014-2015 2015-2016 |
|
| 06. | W.P. NO. 14903/2019 | 11 | M.A, M.SC, BA, B.ED SPECIAL, B.COM | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 07. | W.P. NO. 29605/2019 | 21 | B.ED, M.A | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 08. | W.P. NO. 29878/2019 | 08 | NON-TEACHING, TECHNICAL COURSE, BA, B.COM | 2013-2014 |
| 09. | W.P. NO. 30121/2019 | 01 | M.A IN KANNADA | 2014-2015 |
| 10. | W.P. NO. 30278/2019 | 13 | B.A, B.ED, MA | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 11. | W.P. NO. 30808/2019 | 08 | M.A, M.SC & B.A | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 12. | W.P. NO. 31121/2019 | 04 | B.A, M.A, PGDHRM, DEGREE COURSES | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 13. | W.P. NO. 32729/2019 | 38 | B.ED | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 14. | W.P. NO. 32767/2019 | 20 | M.A, M.COM, LLM& PG DIPLOMA COURSES | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 15. | .P.NO. 33066/2019 | 07 | B.A, B.COM | 2012-2013 2013-2014 |
| 16. | W.P. NO. 35151/2019 | 42 | B.ED, B.ED SPECIAL, M.A, B.A | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 17. | W.P. NO. 35193/2019 | 36 | M.A. M.COM, LLM & P.G. DIPLOMA | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 18. | W.P. NO. 35230/2019 | 01 | M.ED | 2014-2015 |
| 19. | W.P. NO. 36727/2019 | 16 | B.ED | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 20. | W.P. NO. 36743/2019 | 6 | B.A, M.A, B.ED, B.ED SPECIAL & M.ED | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 21. | W.P. NO. 41143/2019 | 03 | B.A, B.ED | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
| 22. | W.P. NO. 50044/2019 | 07 | B.COM, B.A, B.ED, B.ED | 2013-2014 2014-2015 |
2. Petitioners are having 3 sets of grievances:
(a) On account of public notice dated 16.06.2015 issued by the UGC, petitioners are virtually deprived of the fruits of the educational degree to which they are entitled to as courses were offered by a regularly established University namely, KSOU under its 'In-House System'. As a consequence, they have not been issued marks cards for the various courses undertaken by them even though they have passed the examination held by the KSOU successfully and further they are not awarded the degree certificates to which they are otherwise entitled.
(b) The petitioners are denied the opportunity of earning promotions in the Departments where they are working and large number of them are deprived of the opportunity of seeking employment under the State, various instrumentalities of the State and also under the Union of India and its instrumentalities.
(c) They are deprived of the opportunity of pursuing higher education for which the courses they have successfully completed under the aegis of KSOU, is the qualifying course. They heavily place reliance on the Government Order dated 05.03.2018.
3. These petitioners are students enrolled for the various courses offered by KSOU under the In-House System for the Academic Years 2013-14 and 2014-15. In view of their grievances as indicated above, petitioners, in sum and substance are seeking writ of certiorari for quashing the public notice issued by UGC on 16.06.2015 and further they are seeking a wr
