ORAL ORDER

In this petition, the petitioner seeks the following reliefs:

“a) Issue writ of mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the representation as per Annexure ‘P’ and ‘Q’.

b) Issued Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent University to consider the case of the Petitioner for issuance of Convocation/Degree Certificate based on the Judgment of this Hon’ble Court passed in the case of Snehalatha P. v/s. State (W.P.No.8638/2016) and also in the case of Rakesh Ranjan Sinha V/s State (W.P.No.23197/2023) as per Annexure ‘E’ and ‘N’respectively.

c) Grant such other relief/s as the situation demands by molding prayer with cost in the interest of justice and equity.”

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 and 2 and learned counsel for respondent No.3 and perused the material on record.

3. A perusal of the material on record will indicate that the petitioner joined respondent Nos.1 and 2 – the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) for the academic years 2011-13 and completed the course in the year 2014 and has been working ever since then. The petitioner submitted several representations including the representations at Annexures-P and Q dated 24.07.2023 and 28.09.2021 to respondent Nos.1 and 2 – KSOU, who did not take any steps pursuant thereto and as such, the petitioner is before this Court by way of the present petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner having joined respondent Nos.1 and 2 – KSOU prior to the academic year 2012-13, the petitioner would be entitled to obtain degree certificate / convocation certificate within a stipulated timeframe as held by this Court in the following cases:

(i) Smt. Snehalatha P Vs. State of Karnataka –W.P.No.8638/2016 dated 03.03.2016.

(ii) Karnataka State Open University Vs. State of Karnataka and others – W.P.No.34255/2016 dated 27.06.2016.

(iii) Sri. Manoj M. Vs. The Deputy Commissioner and another – W.P.No.25361/2017 dated 13.06.2017.

(iv) Sri. Thirumalesh C.A. Vs. State of Karnataka and others – W.P.No.2795/2022 dated 2.08.2022.

(v) Suhas M. and others Vs. KSOU and another –W.P.No.24293/2021, 17.08.2022.

(vi) Sri. Raksh Ranjan Sinha Vs. KSOU and others –W.P.No.23197/2023 dated 20.02.2024.

5. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent submits that there is no merit in the petition and that the same is liable to be dismissed.

6. As rightly contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that under identical circumstances in Thirumalesh’s case (supra), this Court held as under:

“In this petition, the petitioner has sought for the following reliefs:

a. Issue a writ of certiorari to quash the endorsement No.KSOU:EB/CONV/Collabration/44/2020-21, dated 18.09.2021 (Annexure-B) issued by the Third Respondent as violative of Article 14, 16, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

b. Issue a writ of mandamus directing the Respondent University to consider the case of the Petitioner for issuance of Convocation certificate based on the judgment of this Hon’ble Court Smt. Snehalatha P. Vs. State in W.P.No.8638/2016, DD on 03.03.2016 (Annexure-E) and Manoj Vs. State in W.P.No.25361/2017, DD on 13006.2017 (Annexure-G) and extend the relief of issuance of convocation certificate to the petitioner.

c. Alternatively Issue a writ of mandamus directing the Respondent University to declare that, the Petitioners under graduate degree in the course of B.sc. (Information Technology) for the academic year 2007- 2010 from the Second Respondent University is recognised and valid in terms of the decision of this Hon’ble Court in the case of KSOU Vs. State, in W.P.No.34255/2016, DD on 27.06.2016 (Annexure-F).And,

d. Pass any other order or directions as this Hon’ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice and equity.”

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned AGA for respondent No.1, learned counsel for respondent No.2 and learned counsel for respondent No.3 and perused the material on record.

3. In addition to reitera