- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND WRIT PETITION No. 6228 OF 2023 (S-KSAT) BETWEEN: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVT., EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY), M. S. BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, NEW PUBLIC OFFICERS, K. R. CIRCLE, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, DEPT. OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY, CHIKKABALLAPURA, DISTRICT - 562 101. 4. THE BLOCK EDUCATION OFFICER, GAURIBIDANUR TALUK, GAURIBIDANUR, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT 561208. 5. THE BLOCK EDUCATION OFFICER, GUDIBANDE, GUDIBANDE TALUK, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT 561209. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI V. SHIVAREDDY, AGA) Digitally signed by VINUTHA B S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 AND: 1. SRI V. T. VENKATESH, S/O V. THIMMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, HEAD MASTER, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL, ALEHALLI, GOWRIBIDANUR TALUK, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT, R/AT No.88, T. R. COLONY, GAURIBIDANUR 561208. 2. SRI K. R. SAMPATHRAM, S/O M. RAMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, HEAD MASTER, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL, HAMPASANDRA, GUDIBANDE TALUK, R/AT NEAR GOWRI SCHOOL, V. V. PURAM, GAURIBIDANUR 561208. 3. SRI C. S. LAKSHIMINARAYANA, S/O CHIKKASUBBARAMAYYA, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, LECTURER, GOVERNMENT PRE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, R/AT No.1196/5, SKANDA NILAYA, NANDI ROAD, CHIKKABALLAPUR 562101. 4. SRI SHIVAPRASAD, S/O NANJAPPA AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS ASSISTANT MASTER GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL MANCHENAHALLI GOWRIBIDANUR TALUK R/AT No.211, SHWETHABHAVAN, VINAYAKNAGAR, GAURIBIDANUR, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT 561208. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 5. SRI M. S. SHANTHARAJU, S/O SANJEEVAPPA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, HEAD MASTER, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL MINAKANAGURKI, GAURIBIDANUR TALUK, R/AT No.19, LB ROAD, KUVEMPUNAGAR, KAREKOKAHALLI, GAURIBIDANUR 561208. 6. SRI T. RAMAKRISHNA, S/O THIMMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS HEAD MASTER, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL, BYCHAPURA, GAURIBIDANUR TALUK, R/AT ALE UPPARAHALLI, HOSUR POST, GOWRIBIDANUR 561208. 7. SRI M. MALLESHGOWDA, S/O MAHADEVAIAH, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, HEAD MASTER, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL, NAKKALAHALLI, GAURIBIDANUR TALUK, R/AT VIDYANAGAR, KAREKALLAHALLI, GAURIBIDANUR TOWN 561208. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI MADHUSUDHAN M., ADVOCATE) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER DATED 03.10.2018 (ANNEXURE-C) PASSED BY THE KARNATAKA STATE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, BENGALURU IN APPLICATION Nos.3218-3224 OF 2017. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT) Though the matter is listed for orders, the same is taken for final disposal with the consent of the learned counsels for the parties. 2. Taking note of the nature of order to be passed, notice to respondent No.4 is dispensed with. 3. Heard Sri.V.Shivareddy, learned Additional Government Advocate for the petitioners and Sri.M.Madhusudhan, learned counsel for the respondents and perused the writ petition papers. 4. The respondents were initially appointed on contract basis as Primary School Teachers. Subsequently, they were absorbed under the Karnataka Civil Services (Absorption of persons appointed on contract basis in the category of posts of Primary School Teachers, Secondary - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 School Teachers, Government Junior College Lecturers, First Grade College Lecturers, Lecturers in Polytechnics, Lecturers in Government Engineering Colleges into State Civil Services)(Special) Rules, 1990 (hereinafter referred to as '1990 Rules'). 5. The respondents were denied additional increment for having passed kannada language examination in SSLC or for having exempted from passing the kannada language examination. Questioning the endorsement of denying the said benefit, the respondents were before the Tribunal in Application Nos.3218- 3224/2017. Under the impugned order, the Tribunal allowed the said applications with a direction to the petitioners herein to refund the recovered amount holding that the respondents would be entitled for additional increment for having passed kannada language examination in SSLC or for having exempted from passing the kannada language examination. Questioning the said - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 order of the Tribunal, the petitioner-State is before this Court. 6. During the course of hearing, learned counsel for the respondents would submit that the question involved in this writ petition is already answered by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in Writ Petition No.20685/2021 dated 29.07.2024 which is placed on record along with I.A. for disposal. 7. Learned Additional Government Advocate would not dispute the same and submits that the said order was passed by this Court subsequent to filing of the present writ petition. 8. On going through the decision referred to above, we are of the considered opinion that the issue raised herein by the petitioners is already answered. Accordingly, by following the decision of the Coordinate bench of this Court in Writ Petition No.20685/2021 dated - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35099-DB WP No. 6228 of 2023 29.07.2024, the present writ petition also stands rejected. In view of dismissal of the petition, pending interlocutory application if any, would not survive and it stands accordingly disposed of. Sd/- (S.G.PANDIT) JUDGE Sd/- (K. V. ARAVIND) JUDGE DDU List No.: 1 Sl No.: 16