IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 25^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B. MURALIDHARA PAI WRIT PETITION NO. 103815 OF 2024 (S-CAT)

BETWEEN:

1. THE UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, GADAG ROAD, HUBBALLI.

2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF PERSONNEL OFFICER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, GADAG ROAD, HUBBALLI, PIN-580 020.

3. THE CHAIRMAN, RAILWAY RECRUITMENT BOARD, GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS, Digitally signed by V N BADIGER NO.18 MILLERS ROAD, Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE, PIN-560 046.

DHARWAD BENCH

4. THE DIVISIONAL RAILWAY MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, MYSORE DIVISION, MYSORE, PIN-570 001.

5. THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL FINANCE MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, MYSORE DIVISION, MYSURU, PIN-570 001.

… PETITIONERS (BY SRI. MRUTYUNJAYA S.HALLIKERI, ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE LOKESH A.J., AGE. 40 YEARS, OCC. SERVICE, R/O. ADHIHALI, BAGESHGPURA (POST), TQ. ARISIKERI, DIST. HASSAN-573 162.

… RESPONDENT (BY SRI M. SIDDARAJ, ADVOCATE FOR SOLE RESPONDENT) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND

227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE O