IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 18193 OF 2024 (S-RES)

BETWEEN:

DR PHANIRAJA K L S/O KONANDUR LINGAPPA AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS WORKING AS CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER VETERINARY HOSPITAL, HUMCHA HOSANAGARA, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 436.

R/A KONAMDUR MAIN ROAD NEAR C K CIRCLE, KONANDUR THIRTHA HALLI TALUK SHIVAMOGGA - 577422.

…PETITIONER Digitally signed by MALATHI CHALUVA IYENGAR (BY SRI. K DIWAKARA, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR Location: HIGH SRI. HITESH GOWDA, ADVOCATE)

COURTOF KARNATAKA AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT F PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS STATE OF KARANTAKA REP. BY ITS SECRETARY VIDHANA SOUDHA, BANGALORE - 560 001.

2. KARNATAKA VETERINARY ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCE UNIVERSITY REP. BY ITS VICE CHANCELLOR NANDI NAGAR, P B NO. 6 BIDAR-585 401. 3. REGISTRAR KARNATAKA VETERINARY ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCE UNIVERSITY NANDI NAGAR, P B NO. 6 BIDAR - 585401. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.G RAMESH NAIK, AGA FOR R1:

SMT. VAISHALI HEGDE, ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R3)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS/CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER SUCH ORDER OR NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENT TO QUASH THE NOTICE WITH BEARING NO.VC/KVAFSU/ BACKLOG/ASSC.PROF/ENDORSEMENT/2022-23/526 AND DATED: 3.05.2023 (ANNEXURE-A) AND ETC.

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

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD

ORAL ORDER

1. The petitioner has called in question the endorsement dated 03.05.2023 issued by respondent No.3-University at Annexure-A, whereby, the application filed by the petitioner to the post of Associate Professor has been rejected.

2. Brief facts of the case are that respondent-University issued a Notification on 09.07.2010 inviting applications to the backlog post of Professor as well as Associate Professor in the discipline of Veterinary Microbiology under the reserved Scheduled Caste category. Subsequently, the University issued a Corrigendum dated 07.12.2010 modifying the earlier notification dated 09.07.2010. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner submitted an application on 04.01.2011 and also one Dr.Vivekananda has filed an application to the post of Associate Professor. After scrutiny of the applications and completion of selection process, the respondent-University has recommended the name of Dr.Vivekananda as per the merit list, while the name of the petitioner was not recommended. Aggrieved by the said selection, the petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P.No.18656/2011 c/w 17359/2011. This Court, by order dated 16.07.2019 had partly allowed the writ petitions and directed the respondent-University to re- examine the case of the petitioner and Dr.Vivekananda on merits and shall thereafter publish the selection list, provided, the candidates meet the qualifications stipulated by the University Grants Commission (for short ‘the UGC’). Being dissatisfied with the said order, the petitioner herein preferred Writ Appeal No.3035/2019 c/w 3036/2019. This Court, by judgment dated 24.11.2021 at Annexure-B, disposed of the writ appeals; set aside the order passed by the learned Single Judge and directed the respondent Nos.1 and 2-University to consider the case of the appellant (petitioner herein) for appointment to the post of Associate Professor in accordance with the provisions of Karnataka State Civil Services (unfilled Vacancies reserved for persons belonging to SC and ST) (Special Recruitment)

Rules, 2001 (for short ‘the 2001 Rules’). Pursuant to the directions of this Court, the respondent-University reconsidered the case of the petitioner and issued the impugned endorsement dated 03.05.2023, rejecting his application. Being aggrieved by the issuance of the impugned endorsement, the petitioner is before this Court. 3. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner has made the following submissio