IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND WRIT PETITION NO. 1358 OF 2026 (S-KSAT)

BETWEEN:

SRI RAVI PRAKASH M B S/O BASAVARAJAPPA M.S., AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, CHIEF OFFICER GRADE-II, TOWN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, MALEBENNUR, HARIHARA TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT - 577 530.

(UNDER ORDER OF TRANSFER)

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. YOGESH V KOTEMATH, ADV. FOR SRI VIRUPAKSHAIAH P.H., ADV.)

AND:

Digitally signed by 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA NANJUNDACHARI REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, Location: HIG H COURT OF DEPARTMENT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT, KARNATAKA VIKASA SOUDHA, BANGALORE - 560 001.

2. THE DIRECTOR DIRECTORATE OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION, 9^TH AND 10^TH FLOOR, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, V.V. TOWERS, BANGALORE - 560 001.

3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAVANAGERE DISTRICT, DAVANAGERE - 577 001.

4. SMT. NIRANJINI.H HUSBAND'S NAME NOT KNOWN TO PETITIONER, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, OFFICE MANAGER, TOWN MUNICIPALITY, HONNALI, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577 217 (UNDER ORDER OF TRANSFER AS CHIEF OFFICER ON OWN PAY SCALE), TOWN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, MALEBENNUR, HARIHARA TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT - 577 530.

…RESPONDENTS (B