- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:22616-DB WP No. 32726 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF JUNE, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR V KAMESWAR RAO, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C M JOSHI WRIT PETITION NO. 32726 OF 2024 (GM-RES-PIL) BETWEEN: SRINIVASA C L, S/O LATE C L LAKSHMANA SWAMY, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, R/A #10/6/C, KVT STREET, KOLLEGAL, CHAMARAJANAGAR, KARNATAKA-571 440. AADHAAR NO. 8084 4310 7965 PH: 9742673046 PAN NO. COKPS3920P …PETITIONER (BY SRI SADANAND G SHASTRI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, 6TH FLOOR, M.S.BUILDING, BANGALORE-560 001. 2. THE HON'BLE GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA, RAJ BHAVAN RD, OPP. DRDO, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU, KARNATAKA-560 001. 3. THE SCHEDULE CASTE AND SCHEDULE TRIBE COMMISSION, KARNATAKA, BY ITS CHAIRPERSON, Digitally signed by NANDINI R Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:22616-DB WP No. 32726 of 2024 14/3, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, NEAR RESERVE BANK, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU, KARNATAKA-560 001. 4. COMMISSONERATE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, BY ITS JOINT DIRECTOR, 5TH FLOOR, M.S.BUILDING, DR. B.R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE-560 001. …RESPONDENTS (BY MS. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA FOR R-1 & 4; R-2 STANDS DELETED FROM THE ARRAY OF THE RESPONDENTS VIDE ORDER DATED 20.1.2025; MR. CHANDRAMOHAN K, ADVOCATE FOR R-3) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO i) ISSUE A WRIT, DIRECTION OR THE LIKE AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NOS.1 AND 2 TO EXPEDITIOUSLY APPOINT A CHAIRPERSON TO THE SCHEDULE CASTE AND SCHEDULE TRIBE COMMISSION, KARNATAKA WITHOUT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR V KAMESWAR RAO, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C M JOSHI ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR V KAMESWAR RAO, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE) This petition has been filed with the following prayers: "WHEREFORE, the Petitioner most humbly and respectfully prays that this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:22616-DB WP No. 32726 of 2024 I. Issue a Writ, direction or the like and direct the Respondent No.1 and 2 to expeditiously appoint a chairperson to the Schedule Caste and Schedule tribe Commission, Karnataka without any administrative delay; II. Direct the Respondent No.3 to prioritize and resolve the pending grievances in a time bound manner; III. Issue directions to Respondent No.3 to publish the Commission's Annual Report on the welfare of SC/ST communities in Karnataka and any challenges addressed, enhancing transparency; IV. Pass any such orders of directions as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice and Equity." 2. The only submission made by learned counsel for petitioner is regarding the non-appointment of the Chairperson to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Commission, Karnataka. 3. The learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the State- respondent Nos. 1 and 4 would submit as per her instructions from the Principal Secretary - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:22616-DB WP No. 32726 of 2024 of Social Welfare Department through the learned Advocate General, the Chairperson of the aforesaid Commission shall be appointed within a period of four weeks from today. 4. The said submission is taken on record. 5. In view of the above order, the present petition is disposed of. Sd/- (V KAMESWAR RAO) ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C M JOSHI) JUDGE tsn* List No.: 1 Sl No.: 60