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2026 Supreme(Online)(Kar) 32285
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
NC: 2026:KHC:30886
WP No. 20396 of 2025
DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI M
WRIT PETITION NO. 20396 OF 2025 (S-KSRTC)
BETWEEN:
MANJAPPA S
S/O LATE SIDDAPPA M
AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS
R/A YARAVANAGATHI HALLI
KOLKOUNTE POST
DAVANAGERE TALUK
AND DISTRICT - 577 005
…PETITIONER
(BY SRI. M.C. BASAVARAJU, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
KSRTC, CENTRAL OFFICES
K.H. ROAD, SHANTHI NAGAR
BENGALURU-560027
2. THE DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
KSRTC, DAVANAGERE DIVISION
DAVANAGERE - 577 001
3. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
STATE OF KARNATAKA
DEPT OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE,
M.S. BUILDING
BENGALURU - 560 001.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT. H.R. RENUKA, ADVOCATE FOR R1 AND R2;
SMT. MAMATHA SHETTY, AGA FOR R3)
For the Appellants/Petitioners: M.C. Basavaraju
For the Respondents: H.R. Renuka, Mamatha Shetty
Assignment of light-duty work under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, requires a valid disability certificate issued in strict compliance with prescribed medical norms before the employer can make a determination.
Headnote:The petitioner approached the court seeking a direction to the respondent-Corporation to assign light work with pay protection under S.20(4) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The court noted that while a disability certificate existed, it did not substantially comply with the medical norms previously prescribed by the court. The court addressed whether the current disability certificate was sufficient for the assignment of light-duty work. The court reasoned that a fresh, reasoned disability certificate issued strictly in consonance with the norms set in W.P.No.8322/2022 is necessary before the Corporation can take a decision. The Writ Petition is, therefore, disposed of with the following observations and directions: the Medical Board shall conduct a fresh examination and issue a reasoned disability certificate, upon which the Corporation shall decide on the request for light-duty work.
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, SEEKING CERTAIN RELIEFS.
THIS WRIT PETITION IS LISTED FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, AN ORDER IS MADE AS UNDER:
ORAL ORDER
Sri.M.C.Basavaraju, counsel for the petitioner;
Smt.H.R.Renuka, counsel for the respondent Nos.1 and 2 and
Smt.Mamatha Shetty, Additional Government Advocate for
respondent No.3, appeared in person.
2. Though the petition is listed for orders, with consent, it is heard finally.
3. This petition is filed seeking, inter alia, a direction to the respondent-Corporation to assign light work to the petitioner in terms of Section 20(4) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with pay protection, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case.
4. Counsel for the respective parties urged several contentions. The Court has heard the arguments and perused the papers with care.
5. Pursuant to the medical norms issued by this Court, a disability certificate was issued to the petitioner. However, it is evident from the said certificate that the norms prescribed by this Court have not been substantially complied with. Accordingly, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the petitioner to appear before the Superintendent, Medical Board, Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics, on 20.07.2026 at 10:30 a.m., without fail, for fixing a date for examination by the Medical Disability Board, Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics.
6. The Writ Petition is, therefore, disposed of with the following observations and directions:
i. The Medical Board shall conduct the examination and issue a reasoned disability certificate within 30 days from the date of such examination, and forward a copy thereof to the respondent-Corporation.
ii. The Medical Board shall issue the disability certificate strictly in consonance with the norms set forth by this Court in W.P.No.8322/2022.
iii. The petitioner shall furnish the disability certificate to the Corporation.
iv. The Corporation shall decide based on the certificate and issue an endorsement to the petitioner.
v. The Corporation shall not take any precipitate action regarding the assignment of light-duty work to the petitioner till they take a decision on the disability certificate.
vi. The Additional Government Advocate shall intimate the Superintendent, Medical Board, Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics, regarding the disposal of this petition and the petitioner’s appearance on 20.07.2026.
