- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:10430 WP No. 6136 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR WRIT PETITION NO.6136 OF 2025 (EDN-RES) BETWEEN: 1. DATTATRI RAMANNA S/O RAMANA SUBBARAO AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS R/O 130, MANDARA, 2ND MAIN KSRTC LAYOUT, CHIKKALASANDRA BENGALURU-560061. 2. DR. GURUPRASAD KAGINELE AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS RESIDING AT 6044 GRANITE DR. NW 55901, ROCHESTER, MN. ALSO HAVING ADDRESS AT NO.15, 1ST PHASE, 5TH CROSS GIRINAGARA, BENGALURU- 560085. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. RAMA RAMACHANDRA IYER, ADV.,) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY IT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF CULTURE ROOM NO. 501,'C' WING SHASTRI BHAWAN NEW DELHI-110015. 2. SAHITYA AKADEMI RABINDRA BHAVAN, 35 Digitally signed by MARIGANGAIAH PREMAKUMARI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:10430 WP No. 6136 of 2025 FIROZESHAH RD NEW DELHI-110001 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. ANUPAMA HEGDE, ADV.,) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR APPLYING FOR THE SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD CONFERRED BY THE R-2 ON RULES FARMED BY THE R-1 AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. GRANT AN INTERIM ORDER TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS OF THE PETITIONERS FOR THE AWARD PENDING DISPOSAL OF THE ABOVE CASE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR ORAL ORDER In this petition, petitioner seeks for following reliefs: “I. Quash the eligibility criteria for applying for the Sahitya Akademi Award conferred by the respondent No.2 on rules framed by the respondent No.1 as unconstitutional. Award Rules dated 12.03.2024 vide Annexure-H. II. Issue any other writ, order or direction as the honourable court deems fit in the matter in the interest of justice and equity.” - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:10430 WP No. 6136 of 2025 2. After arguing the matter for some time, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that during the pendency of present petition, both the petitioners have submitted applications to consider their names for the Central Sahitya Academi Award and necessary directions may be issued to the respondents to consider the applications of the petitioners and take appropriate decision in accordance with law. 3. Per contra, learned counsel Smt.Anupama Hegde for respondent Nos.1 and 2 submits that, if the petitioners have already submitted such applications, the respondents would consider the same and take appropriate decision in accordance with law. 4. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and submissions made by both sides, I deem it just and appropriate to direct the concerned respondent No.2 to consider and take appropriate decision on the applications said to have been submitted by the petitioners in - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:10430 WP No. 6136 of 2025 accordance with law, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 5. Subject to the aforesaid direction, writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE NC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17