- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION NO. 101895 OF 2022 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SRI GANGADHARAMURTY S/O. KUMBHINARASMA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: STUDENT, SRI HARIKRUPA, C.B.NAGAR, 6TH CROSS, TUMKUR – 572 102. …PETITIONER (BY SRI SUNIL S. DESAI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. KARNATAKA UNIVERSTIY DHARWAD, REPRESENTED BY THE REGISTRAR, PAVATE NAGAR, DHARWAD. 2. THE CHAIRMAN, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, KARNATAKA UNIVERSTIY, DHARWAD. 3. DR. S.S.SAMMASAGI RESEARCH SUPERVISOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, KARNATAKA UNIVERSTIY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, DHARWAD. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI M.S.HIREMATH, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI K.L.PATIL, AND SRI SOURAB SONDUR, ADVOCATE FOR R1; NOTICE TO R3 IS SERVED) Digitally signed by VISHAL NINGAPPA PATTIHAL Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, Dharwad - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI QUASHING THE COMMUNICATION ORDER BEARING NO. KU/Aca/Phd/Aso/2021-22/3772 DATED 31/01/2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT AS PER ANNEXURE-R AS ILLEGAL AND ARBITRARY. ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO SANCTION THE SCHOLARSHIP FROM 30-11-2017 TO 29-11-2020. ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE 1ST AND 2ND RESPONDENTS TO MAKE PROVISION FOR DATA COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION OF THE THESE WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY BY ALLOTTING A SUITABLE RESEARCH SUPERVISOR TO THE PETITIONER AND AWARDED PHD DEGREE AND ETC., THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING B GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA) 1. The petitioner is before this Court calling in question a communication, dated 31.01.2022 passed by the first respondent by which the thesis of the petitioner is declined to be accepted on the score that it has been submitted on delay. 2. Heard the learned counsel Shri Sunil S.Desai appearing for the petitioner; learned counsel Shri M.S. Hiremath appearing for respondent No.2; and the learned - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 counsel Shri K.L. Patil along with Shri Sourab Sandur appearing for the respondent No.1. 3. The facts in brief germane are as follows: The respondent - University comes up with a proposal for a Ph.D. Course and the petitioner finding himself eligible gets registered for the Ph.D. programme as a full time Ph.D. candidate under the guidance of one Dr.S.S. Samasagi. This happens on 30.11.2017. The petitioner is said to have completed the Ph.D. coursework within one year from the date of the provisional registration and submits his research proposal to the University through the Research Supervisor or the guide as aforesaid. It transpires that the completion, prerequisites and acceptance for proposal, the Ph.D. registration gets confirmed. Therefore, the petitioner gets registered as a full time Ph.D. candidate on 10.01.2019 as his prerequisite or provisional registration gets confirmation. The petitioner after the confirmation is said to have submitted first half yearly progress report on 05.07.2019 through the guide and the same was continued - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 from time to time at intermittent intervals. When things stood thus, a notice comes to be issued to the petitioner calling upon him to explain as to why the Ph.D. registration of the petitioner should not be cancelled for violating Rules 14.2(c) and 14.3 of the Regulations Governing the Doctoral Degree Programme (Ph.D.) and General Guidelines in the Karnataka University. The petitioner on receipt of the aforesaid notice submits a detailed reply denying the allegations of delay. The Research Supervisor or the Guide issues a notice to the petitioner seeking explanation for violation of the aforesaid Regulations. The petitioner again submits a representation that he has not received any information with regard to the delay as the petitioner has more than 75% attendance, notwithstanding this, the Ph.D. registration of the petitioner stood cancelled and therefore, the petitioner is at the doors of this Court. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would vehemently contend that, the entire process that is led to the Ph.D. registration of the petitioner has taken - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 place contrary to law. Learned counsel submits that it is the Guide who has not informed or submitted the thesis that was submitted to him to the appropriate authority within time. Therefore, he would submit that no fault can be laid with the petitioner and the Ph.D. registration could not have been cancelled on the said score. 5. Per contra, learned counsel Shri K.L. Patil submits that, action had to be taken in accordance with the Guidelines and the University was left with no choice as the submission of the thesis has happened on delay not once but delay at intermittent intervals, who is to be blamed is not the concern of the University. The papers do not reach the competent authority within the time, the result will be invocation of Rules 14.2(c) and 14.3 of the Regulations. Accordingly, he would seek dismissal of the petition. 6. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material on record. - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 7. The afore narrated facts are not in dispute. The link in the chain of events, and the dates require reiteration. On 30.11.2017 the petitioner registers himself provisionally under the guidance of one Dr.S.S. Samasagi for the Ph.D. programme as a fulltime candidate. The communication of acceptance of the registration of the petitioner for Ph.D. programme reads as follows: “Sub: Provisional registration for the Ph.D Programme. Ref: 1. Regulation of Ph.D Course (Vide Notification No.KU/ Aca/ Ph.D/ ASO/ 01/ 2017-18/ 54 Dated: 10.10.2017) 2. Date of Recommendation by the Doctoral Committee: 30.11.2017. 3. Doctoral Committee Dated: 10.08.2018. The application of the candidate whose details are furnished below have been accented for the provisional registration for Ph.D Programme in view of the recommendation by the Doctoral Committee. The candidate is found eligible for pursuing Ph.D Programme. Name & Address of the Candidate Name & Address of the Guide Sri. Gangadharamurthy K. Sri. Hari kurpa C.B.Nagar 6th Cross Tumkur-572102 Dr. S.S.Sammasagi, Research Guide, College of Education, K. U. Dharwad. Proposed area of research: "Teacher Education Related to Psychological Studies." Faculty: Education Subject: Education Nature of the Research Programme: (Full time) Provisional Registration No: Edu/2017-18/134 Date: 30.11.2017 - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 COURSE WORK : (Regulation No: 9) Registered Full time/Part-time Ph.D., candidates shall undertake course work of one semester (16 weeks), normally in the Parent Department within one year from the date of provisional registration, failing which his/her registration shall be cancelled. However, if it is found necessary, course work may be carried out by doctoral candidates in sister Departments/Institutes/Research Centers recognized by the University for which due credit shall be given to such candidates. RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Confirmation of Registration (Regulation No: 12.0) After the completion of course work, PhD candidates (Full-time/Part-time) are required to submit their research proposals on the chosen topic to the Doctoral Committee in the prescribed format framed by the respective Faculty, but not later than a year from the date of provisional registration. The candidate shall prepare the Research Proposal/Outline defining clearly the objectives, methodology, literature survey, work plan and relevance of the proposed research and shall present a pre-registration colloquium before the Doctoral Committee. DURATION OF THE COURSE Minimum Maximum (Regulation No: 14.0) Full-time - 3 Years 5 Years Part-time - 4 Years 6 Years” 8. The practitioner submits all prerequisite for confirmed registration which would be the study material. The communication of submission of study material reads as follows: “From Gangadharamurthy K. - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 Ph.D., Research Scholar P.G. Department of Studies in Education Karnatak University, Dharwad - 580003 To The Registrar Karnataka University, Dharwad. Sub: Submission of Id Term Progress Report of Ph.D. in Education-Reg.. Ref: Registration No. Edu/2017-18/134 Date: 30-11-2017 Respected Sir, With reference to the subject cited above, herewith I am submitting First Term Progress Report of Ph.D. in Education, Title entitled "A Study on the Present Status of Tribal Students Attitude, Adjustment and Level of Aspirations in Relation to Academic Achievement of Secondary Schools in Karnataka State" during the year-from date: 10.01.2019 to 04.07.2019. This is for your kind consideration and further necessary action Thanking you Yours faithfully Sd/- (Gangadharamurthy K.)” 9. The progress report is also furnished at one instance by the petitioner through the research guide. The communication reads as follows: “KARNATAK UNIVERSITY, DHARWAD POST-GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES IN EDUCATION Name of the Candidate : Gangadharamurthy K. Research Guide : Dr. S.S.Sammasagi Registration No. : Edu/2017-18/134 and Date Date: 30-11-2017 - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 Title of the Study : "A Study on the Present Status of Tribal Students Attitude, Adjustment and Level of Aspirations in Relation to Academic Achievement of Secondary Schools in Karnataka State" PROGRESS REPORT The Progress of the research work is 1. Investigator has collected Information about the education of Tribal students by visiting Tribal research center in Mysore. 2. Investigator has collected literature by visiting library, Bangalore university, Karnataka University, Mysore university, Gulbarga University, CMDR Research center and NUPA, New Delhi. 3. Investigator has attended workshops and conference: a) Attended the Research Methodology course CMDR in Dharwad, Gulbarga University and NUPA in New Delhi b) Attended the conferences in Department of Education Christ University, Bangalore. 4. Investigator has used different website sources and collected all information about the Tribals. The above information is true to the best of my knowledge and oblige Yours faithfully Sd/- (Gangadharamurthy K.)” - 10 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 10. When things stood thus, a notice comes to be issued to the petitioner on 19th January 2021 seeking explanation from the hands of the petitioner as to why the Ph.D. programme to which the petitioner had got himself enrolled should not be cancelled on the score that the attendance of the petitioner fell below 75%. The notice reads as follows: UÉ, ²æÃ. UÀAUÁzsÀgÀªÀÄÆwð PÉ. ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á «zÁåyð, ²PÀët CzsÀåAiÀÄ£À «¨sÁUÀ, PÀ.«.« zsÁgÀªÁqÀ. «µÀAiÀÄ : ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀt gÀzÀÄÝ¥Àr¸ÀĪÀ PÀÄjvÀAvÉ vÀªÀÄä C©ü¥ÁæAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß ¤ÃqÀĪÀ PÀÄjvÀÄ. G¯ÉèÃR: 1. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæUÀ¼À ¢£ÁAPÀ 1)20.09.2019, 03.10.2019 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 24.10.2019 2. ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 09.10.2019 3. qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄÃn ¢£ÁAPÀ : 06.12.2019 4. vÀªÀÄä 2£Éà ¥ÀæUÀw ªÀgÀ¢ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 10.01.2020 5. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/134/2019- 20/3582 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 16.01.2020 6. ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 31.01.2020 7. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 05.02.2020 8. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/ Aca/ PG/ Ph.D/ ASO/ 134/ 2019-20/ 4348 ¢£ÁAPÀ : 03.03.2020 9. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ:05.02.2020 10. PÀZÉÃj ¥Àv ¸ÀASÉåÀæ: No.KU/ Aca/ PG/ Ph.D/ ASO/ 2019-20/4649 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 21.03.2020 11. ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 16.03.2020 (¹éÃPÀÈvÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 27.07.2020) - 11 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 12. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå : No.KU/ Aca/ PG/ Ph.D/ ASO/ 2020-21/989 ¢£ÁAPÀ:22.09.2019 13. qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄÃn ¤tðAiÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå : 03 ¢£ÁAPÀ : 22.09.2020 14. ªÀiÁ£Àå PÀÄ®¥ÀwUÀ¼À DzÉñÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 19.12.2020 ªÉÄïÁÌt¹zÀ «µÀAiÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ G¯ÉèÃRUÀ½UÉ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¹zÀAvÉ, G¯ÉèÃTvÀ - 11gÀ ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀ ¥ÀvÀæzÀ ªÉÄÃgÉUÉ ºÁUÀÆ G¯ÉèÃTvÀ -13gÀ qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«Än ¤tðAiÀÄzÀ ¥ÀæPÁgÀ vÀªÀÄä ¦JZï.r ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á PÁAiÀÄðzÀ°è ºÁdgÁw PÉÆgÀvÉ EgÀĪÀ PÁgÀt ¢£ÁAPÀ : 22.09.2020 gÀAzÀÄ dgÀÄVzÀ qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«Än ¤tðAiÀÄzÀ£ÀĸÁgÀ 2012-13gÀ ¦JZï.r ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 14.2(C) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 14.3gÀ ¥ÀæPÁgÀ vÀªÀÄä ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀtÂAiÀÄ£ÀÄß gÀzÀÄÝ¥Àr¸ÀĪÀ PÀæªÀÄ eÁjAiÀÄ°èzÉ. ¸À£ï 2012-13gÀ ¦JZï.r ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 14.2(C) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 14.3 F PɼÀV£ÀAwgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. 14.2 C. The Full-time Ph.D candidate shall sign in the attendance register kept in the Department on day-to-day basis except during the period of field work duly permitted by the research Supervisor. Such Ph.D candidate shall maintain 75% attendance in each term. If the candidate goes on field work, he/she shall submit the report to the University through the research Supervisor and Chairperson of the Department. Such period of field work shall be taken into consideration while computing the percentage of attendance. 14.3 The Full-time candidates working under the guidance of recognized Supervisors at Affiliated/Constituent colleges/Research Institutions/Organizations shall main their attendance at the place of Research Supervisor/Co-Supervisor and the same shall be submitted to the University through the research Supervisor/ Co-Supervisor with due counter signature by the Principal/Heard of the respective College/Institute. All correspondence by these candidates with the University shall be made only through the research Supervisor and Chairperson of the P. G. department with due counter signature of Principal/Head of the Institution/College - 12 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ «ªÀgÀÄ ¤ÃªÀÅ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 30.11.2017 gÀAzÀÄ ²PÀët «µÀAiÀÄzÀ°è qÁ. J£ï.J¸ï.vÀ¼ÀªÁgÀ, EªÀgÀ ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±Àð£ÀzÀ°è ¦JZï.r PÉÆùðUÁV ¥ÀæªÉñÀ¥ÀqÉ¢¢ÝÃj. ªÀÄÄAzÉ vÀªÀÄä «£ÀAw ºÁUÀÆ qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄnAiÀÄ ¤tðAiÀÄ£ÀĸÁgÀ qÁ. J£ï.J£ï.vÀ¼ÀªÁgÀ EªÀgÀ §zÀ¯ÁV qÁ. J¸ï.J¸ï.¸ÀªÀÄä¸ÀV EªÀgÀ ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±Àð£ÀzÀ°è ¦JZï.r ªÀÄÄAzÀĪÀgɸÀ®Ä C£ÀĪÀÄw¹¢ÝzÉ. F ¸ÀAzÀ¨sÀðzÀ°è ¤ÃªÀÅ ¥ÀæxÀªÀÄ CªÀ¢üAiÀÄ ¥ÀæUÀw ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ£ÀÄß §zÀ¯ÁªÀuÉUÉÆAqÀ ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÁzÀ qÁ. J¸ï.J¸ï.¸ÀªÀÄä¸ÀV EªÀgÀ ªÀÄÄSÁAvÀgÀ ¸À°è¹ ªÀÄÄA¢£À CªÀ¢üUÀ¼À ¥ÀæUÀw ªÀgÀ¢UÀ¼À£ÀÄß ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ «¨sÁUÀzÀ ªÀÄÄRå¸ÀÜgÀ ªÀÄÄSÁAvÀgÀ ¸À°è¹gÀĪÀÅ¢®è. C®èzÉÃ, gÉUÀÆå¯ÉñÀ£ï 14.2C ¥ÀæPÁgÀ ¥Àæw ¤AiÀÄ«ÄvÀ «zÁåyðAiÀÄÄ «¨sÁUÀzÀ°ègÀĪÀ ºÁdgÁw ¥ÀŸÀÛPÀzÀ°è ¤AiÀÄ«ÄvÀªÁV ºÁdgÁV gÀÄdÄ ªÀiÁqÀ¨ÉÃPÀÄ. ¥ÀæAiÀÄÄPÀÛ ¥Àæw CªÀ¢üAiÀÄ°è PÀ¤µÀ× CUÀvÀå 75% gÀµÀÄÖ ºÁdgÁw EgÀĪÀÅzÀÄ PÀqÁØAiÀÄ«gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. F ¤AiÀĪÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ vÀ«ÄäAzÀ ¥Á®£ÉAiÀiÁUÀ¢gÀĪÀÅzÁV qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄÃnAiÀÄÄ vÀªÀÄä £ÉÆÃAzÀtÂAiÀÄ£ÀÄß gÀzÀÄÝUÉƽ¸À®Ä ²¥sÁgÀ¸ÀÄì ªÀiÁrgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. PÁgÀt, ªÉÄïÁÌt¹zÀ CA±ÀUÀ¼À PÀÄjvÀÄ vÀªÀÄä C©ü¥ÁæAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß F ¥ÀvÀæ vÀ®Ä¦zÀ 15 ¢£ÀUÀ¼ÉƼÀUÁV ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ «¨sÁUÀzÀ ªÀÄÄRå¸ÀÜgÀ ªÀÄÄSÁAvÀgÀ ¸À°è¸À¨ÉÃPÉAzÀÄ F ªÀÄÆ®PÀ w½AiÀÄ¥Àr¹zÉ. PÀÄ®¸ÀaªÀgÀÄ 11. The petitioner replies to the said notice that he has attended regularly and submitted the progress reports at intermittent intervals through the proper channel and there can be no question of shortage of attendance in the case at hand. The reply of the petitioner so submitted reads as follows: “From, K. Gangadharamurthy, Ph.D Research scholar, PG Department of Studies in Education Karnataka University, Dharwad Res: Sri Harikrupa, C.B. Nagar, 6th Cross - 13 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 Tumkur-572102, Karnataka State. Email: kgm.murthy@gmail.com, Ph No: 9448618234 To, The Registrar, Karnatak University, Dharwad. Sir, Sub: My opinion about your proposal of my PhD registration cancellation -Regarding. Ref: 1. Your Letter dated 19/01/2021. 2. My letter dated 30/01/2020. 3. Your Letter dated 02/08/2019. 4. My letter dated 20/9/2019. 5. My letter dated 3/10/2019, 17/10/2019, 24/10/2019 6. Your Letter dated 07/01/2020. With reference to your letter dated 19/1/2021 (Ref-1), I wish to submit the following. 1. I had submitted a letter dated 30/1/2019 (Ref-2), quoting the reason for not signing in the register and for direct submission of progress report to the Registrar. But I feel it is very unfortunate that after a span of 11 months and 20 days of my submission you have issued me a letter stating why not my PhD admission be cancelled? quoting rule 14.2C and 14.3 of PhD regulations, by giving only 15 days' time to answer. I do not know what logic is there behind this letter. 2. The allegations of my guide regarding not attending to the Karnataka University College of Education and not reporting to the Guide is far from truth. 3. I have strictly followed the rule 14.2C and 14.3 of PhD regulations from the day I joined as a - 14 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 PhD candidate in the Karnataka University College of Education Karnataka University. 4. Because of my regular attendance as per rule 9.5, I was permitted for coursework examination and I have successfully passed the PhD coursework with distinction, but till date the scholarship for that period from 13/11/2017 to 15/09/2018 has not been sanctioned for me. The reason is still yet to be known. 5. But, I have been sanctioned with scholarship for the later period from 15/9/2018 to 31/8/2019 (Ref-3). 6. As the university did not sanction my scholarship for the period of my coursework, I started pursuing the university for the scholarship vide my letters dated 20/9/2019 (Ref-4). 7. In the meantime, the Chairman of the P G Department and my guide started troubling me unnecessarily and the same has been brought to your kind notice through my letters vide dated 3/10/2019, 17/10/2019, 24/10/2019 (Ref-5). The Chairman of the PG Department of Education, has gone to such an extent that, physically he stopped me from signing in the register and kept it in his custody, without providing me the register to sign. My Guide was also pressurised me to select some other guide. but I did not accept. then my guide himself approached the university for cancellation of my candidature from his guidance. But fortunately university was kind enough to protect my candidature as per the rules, by not accepting my guides request (Ref- 6). - 15 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 Later my guide and the Chairman, started harassing me by not signing and forwarding any of my letters and also my progress reports to the university. The same has been brought to your notice but university has not taken any action in this regard. Under the circumstances how can I submit my progress reports with my guides signature and forwarding through the chairman? Therefore, I wish to reiterate that the attitude of the guide and the Chairman is the reason for not fulfilling the requirement of getting the signature of the guide and forwarding through the chairman and for not signing in the register from September 2019. 8. But it is very unfortunate that, the doctoral committee has taken the decision ignoring all my genuine submissions, only with an intention to penalize me. 9. The spirit of the letter cited as Ref-1, issued to me is to penalise me. Without any mistake of mine how the university can penalise me? It is really paining me lot. I belongs to scheduled Caste and I have been meted with series of harassment as explained in my several letters and I have lost precious three years without completing my PhD. Therefore, I request for an urgent impartial judicial enquiry to be complete before the end of February 2021, with the terms of reference (1) Why the university has not sanctioned me the scholarship for that period from 13/11/2017 to 15/09/2018. (2) Why my guide himself approached the university for cancellation of my candidature from his guidance. - 16 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 (3) Whether I have signed in the attendance register kept in the department or not? (4) Whether I have signed in the attendance maintained in the Karnataka University College of Education, Karnataka University, at the place of the research supervisor or not? (5) Why my guide did not sign the progress reports? (6) Why the Chairman did not forward the progress reports? I abide by the decision of the judicial enquiry. Copies of the all the references are herewith enclosed for your kind perusal. Thanking you, expecting early reply in this regard from you sir, with due regards.” 12. Notwithstanding the reply and not considering any content of the reply, the impugned order comes to be passed on 31st January 2022 cancelling the Ph.d. registration of the petitioner. The cancellation order reads as follows: “UÉ, ²æà UÀAUÁzsÀgÀªÀÄÆwð PÉ. ¸ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á «zÁåyð, ²PÀët «¨sÁUÀ, PÀ.«.«.zsÁgÀªÁqÀ ²æÃ.ºÀjPÀÈ¥À, ¹.©.£ÀUÀgÀ, 66£Éà CqÀØgÀ¸ÉÛ, vÀĪÀÄPÀÆgÀÄ – 572 102 - 17 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 «µÀAiÀÄ : ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀt gÀzÀÄÝ¥Àr¸ÀĪÀ PÀÄjvÀÄ. G¯ÉèÃR : 1. qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«Än ¤tðAiÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå : 02 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 22.09.202 2. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/2020- 21/2368 ¢£ÁAPÀ:19.01.2021 3. vÀªÀÄä C©ü¥ÁæAiÀÄzÀ ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 28.01.2021 & 30.01.2021 4. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/2020- 21/2937 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 19.02.2021 5. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 03.03.2021 6. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/2020- 21/3319 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 24.03.2021 7. qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄÃn ²¥sÁgÀ¸ÀÄì ¢£ÁAPÀ : 31.03.2021 8. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/2021- 22/394 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 09.06.2021 9. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 10.07.2021 10. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No.KU/Aca/PG/Ph.D/ASO/2021- 22/1102 ¢£ÁAPÀ:10.07.2021 11. vÀªÀÄä ¥ÀvÀæ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 18.08.2021 12. PÀZÉÃj ¥ÀvÀæ ¸ÀASÉå: No. KU/ Aca/ PG/ Ph.D/ ASO/ 134/2021 22/ 1467 ¢£ÁAPÀ:27.08.2021 13. vÁªÀÅ, ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ rãÀgÀÄ PÀÄ®¥ÀwUÀ¼ÉÆA¢UÉ ZÀað¹zÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 11.11.2021 14. ªÀiÁ£Àå PÀÄ®¥ÀwUÀ¼À DzÉñÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 29-01-2022 ªÉÄïÁÌt¹zÀ «µÀAiÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ G¯ÉèÃRUÀ½UÉ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¹zÀAvÉ F ªÀÄÆ®PÀ vÀªÀÄUÉ w½¸ÀĪÀÅzÉãÉAzÀgÉ, ¥Àæ¸ÀÄÛvÀ eÁjAiÀÄ°ègÀĪÀ ¦JZï.r gÉUÀÄå¯ÉñÀ£ÀUÀ¼À ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 14.2 ¹ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 14.3 vÀ«ÄäAzÀ G®èAX¹gÀĪÀÅzÀjAzÀ, ¢£ÁAPÀ: 22.09.2020 gÀAzÀÄ dgÀÄVzÀ qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄnAiÀÄÄ vÀªÀÄä ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀtÂAiÀÄ gÀzÀÝwUÁV ²¥sÁgÀ¸ÀÄì ªÀiÁrgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. ªÀÄÄA¢£À ºÀAvÀzÀ PÀæªÀĪÁV gÉUÀÄå¯ÉñÀ£ï £ÀA.16.3gÀ£ÀéAiÀÄ vÀªÀÄUÉ G¯ÉèÃR -02gÀAvÉ vÀªÀÄä C©ü¥ÁæAiÀÄAiÀÄÄvÀ °TvÀ ºÉýPÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ªÀÄÄRå¸ÀÜgÀ ªÀÄÄSÁAvÀgÀ ¸À°è¸À®Ä w½AiÀÄ¥Àr¸À¯ÁVvÀÄÛ. CzÀgÀAvÉ, vÁªÀÅ ¸À°è¹zÀ ºÉýPÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¢£ÁAPÀ: 31.03.2021 gÀAzÀÄ dgÀÄVzÀ qÁPÀÖgÀ¯ï PÀ«ÄnAiÀÄÄ ¥Àj²Ã°¹ vÀªÀÄä £ÉÆAzÀtÂAiÀÄ gÀzÀÝwUÉ ¥ÀÅ£ÀB ²¥sÁgÀ¸ÀÄì ªÀiÁrgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. F PÀÄjvÀAvÉ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 11.11.2021 gÀAzÀÄ vÁªÀÅ, ªÀiÁUÀðzÀ±ÀðPÀgÁzÀ qÁ. J¸ï.J¸ï.¸ÀªÀÄä¸ÀV ºÁUÀÆ «¨sÁUÀzÀ CzsÀåPÀëgÀÄ/rãÀgÁzÀ qÁ. Dgï.Dgï.ªÀÄzÀ£ÀPÀgÀ EªÀgÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ ªÀiÁ£Àå PÀÄ®¥ÀwUÀ¼À ¸ÀªÀÄPÀëªÀÄzÀ°è ªÀÄAr¹zÀ «ªÀgÀUÀ¼À£ÀÄß ªÀiÁ£Àå PÀÄ®¥ÀwUÀ¼ÀÄ D°¹, ªÉÄÃ¯É G¯ÉèÃTvÀ gÉUÀÄå¯ÉñÀ£ÀUÀ¼ÀÄ vÀ«ÄäAzÀ G®èAWÀ£ÉAiÀiÁzÀ ¥ÀæAiÀÄÄPÀÛ vÀªÀÄä ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀt gÀzÀÄÝUÉƽ¸À®Ä C£ÀĪÉÆâ¹zÀ ¥ÀæAiÀÄÄPÀÛ vÀªÀÄä ¢£ÁAPÀ: 30.11.20217gÀ ¦JZï.r £ÉÆÃAzÀt ¸ÀASÉå : Edu/2017-18/134£ÀÄß gÀzÀÄÝ¥Àr¸À¯ÁVzÉ. vÀªÀÄä «±Áé¹, PÀÄ®¸ÀaªÀgÀÄ” - 18 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 13. What is invoked in the case at hand is Clauses 14.2 and 14.3 of the Regulations. The said Clauses read as follows: “14.2. The Full-time Ph.D candidate shall complete the research work and submit the thesis to the for evaluation within a maximum period of five years from the date of provisional. In case of Part-time Ph.D candidate, the maximum period 4 years three and hand for submission shall be six years. a. In exceptional cases, extension beyond the above maximum period may be granted by the University on the recommendation of the Research Supervisor and Doctoral Committee For justifiable reasons for a period of time not exceeding one year after the candidate applies for extention before the expiry of the period and pays the prescril ad fee. b. Under extraordinary circumstances by which a candidate is affected and such circumstances warranting a further extension of period for submission of thesis, the candidate shall make an appeal before the expiry of the extention period to the Chairperson of the P.G Department through the Research Supervisor, and the Chairperson of the P.G Department shall refer the same to the Doctoral Committee for its opinion. The opinion of the committee shall be submitted to the Vice-chancellor by the Chairperson of the P.G Department for consideration and the decision shall be final and limited to only one year. Candidates who fail to submit the thesis even after the extended period shall repeat the programme by registering again. - 19 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 c. The Full-time Ph.D candidate shall sign in the attendance register kept in the Department on day-to-day basis except during the period of field work duly permitted by the research Supervisor. Such Ph.D candidate shall maintain 75% attendance in each term. If the candidate goes on field work, he/she shall submit the report to the University through the research Supervisor and Chairperson of the Department. Such period of field work shall be taken into consideraion while computing the percentage of attendance. 14.3. The Full-time candidates working under the guidance of recognized Supervisors at 13 Constituid Colleges Research Institutions Organizations shall maintain their attendance at the place of Research Supervisor /Co-Supervisor and the same shall be submitted to the University through Research Supervisor/Co-Supervisor with due counter signature by the Principal/Head of the respective College/Institute. All correspondence by these candidates with the University shall be made only through the research Supervisor and the Chairperson of the P.G department, with due counter signature of the Principal/Head of the Institute/College.” 14. The fulltime candidates working under the guidance of recognized Supervisors shall maintain their attendance at the place of Research and attendance shall be countersigned by the Guide and submitted to the University. The petitioner is appended plethora of - 20 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 documents to the petition, all the documents indicate the progress report submitted by the petitioner at intermittent intervals and there is no indication of those taken into. The order impugned is dated 21st January 2022, which does not even consider all the documents that are appended to the reply submitted by the petitioner on 28.01.2021. The petitioner claims that his attendance has been regular and never has been notified with shortage of attendance either by the Guide or the University. Therefore, the Ph.D. programme of the petitioner that he had got enrolled into, and completed by the year 2021, cannot be taken away on the score that the petitioner has acted in violation of Rules 14.2 or 14.3 of the Regulations as the case would be. The progress reports were submitted to the guide. The progress reports have not reached the University from the hands of the guide. Therefore, no fault can be found on the part of the petitioner. In that light, I deem it appropriate to pass the following: ORDER (i) The petition stands allowed - 21 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3327 WP No. 101895 of 2022 (ii) The communication / order dated 31.01.2022 isseud by the first respondent vide Annexure-R stands quashed (iii) Mandamus issues to the respondent Nos.1 and 2 to reconsider the reply of the petitioner submitted bearing in mind observations made in the course of the order and pass necessary orders in accordance with law within eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. SD/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE VNP/CT-ASC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 7