- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF WRIT PETITION NO. 33691 OF 2024 (S-KSAT) BETWEEN: 1. SHRI KARUNAKARA P S/O PARAMESHWARA PARAVA P AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS PIKATEMAJALU HOUSE YENEKAL VILLAGE AND POST KADABA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT-57423 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL DHARMASTHALA, DHARMASTHALA VILLAGE AND POST BELTHANGADY TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574216. 2. SHRI L. RAMU SO LATE LAKKAIAH AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS BARSE VILLAGE AND POST PERIYAPATANA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571102 Digitally Signed by REKHA R Location : High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL DODDAHOSUR VILLAGE, PERIYAPATANA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571103. 3. SHRI SHIVAKUMARA C. H S/O HARIYAPPA C.K AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS CHALLANGARU HOUSE PAMBETHADY VILLAGE KARIKKALA POST, SULLIA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574212 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL BALILA POST AND VILLAGE SULLIA TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574212. 4. SHRI SHESHAGIRI K S/O CHOMA NAIK AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS KANYANA VILLAGE, KANYANA POST BANTWAALA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574279 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL MADHYA SURATHKAL MANGALORE TALUK-574279. 5. MRS.SUNITHA W/O MAILAPPA K AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS ODYAME HOUSE, KOLEMAN - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 BAJATHUR VILLAGE KANCHANA POST, PUTTUR TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574241. WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL KADRI, MANGALORE TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574241. 6. MRS. SUNANDA W/O KRISHNAPPA B. K AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS DOOR NO.1-221, BARENGALA HOUSE CHARVAKA VILLAGE AND POST KADABA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574328 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL MADHYA SURATHKAL MANGALORE DISTRICT-574328. 7. MRS.MALLIKA K KAMILA HOUSE AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS IVATHOKLU VILLAGE PANJA POST, SULLIA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.57423 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT.ASHRAM SCHOOL SUBRAHMANYA, SULLIA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574232. 8. MRS.YASHODA S W/O ANAND B AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS JAINARAGURI HOUSE, BANNUR VILLAGE AND POST, - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 PUTTUR TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT - 574203. WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GOVT VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL KADESHIAWALAYA VILLAGE AND POST, BANTWAL TALUK DK - 574203. 9. MRS.GEETHA KUMARI W/O SHANKARA K AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS KOLLAPADAVU HOUSE, PUNACHA VILLAGE MOODAMBAILU POST BANTWALA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DIST.574260 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL KUDDUPADAVU, KEPU VILLAGE NEERKAJE POST BANTWALA TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT-574260. 10. SHRI LOKESHA S.J S/O K. JAVAREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS N. SHETTAHALLI VILLAGE, RAVANDUR POST PERIYAPATNA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571108 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL DODDAHOSUR, PERIYAPATNA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571108. 11. SHRI RAGHU D. T. S/O THIMMEGOWDA - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS DODDABEMMATTHI VILLAGE AND POST MALLIPATANNA HOBLI ARAKALGUDU TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT-573130 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL MUTTURU COLONY, PERIYAPATTANA TALUK MYSURU-571107. 12. MRS.SUMALATHA W/O NAGESHA AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS UDBURU VILLAGE N. BELATHURU POST ANTHARASANTHE POST, H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DIST.571114 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL BASAVANAGIRI HAADI VILLAGE METIKUPPE POST, H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571114. 13. MRS.PRAFULLA M. K W/O ARUNA AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS NO.2-6, KOLYA PADU HOUSE CHELAIRU, HALEANGAD VILLAGE HALEANGADY POST MANGALORE DISTRICT-574146 WORKING PLACE ASSISTANT TEACHER GOVT. VALMIKI ASHRAMA SCHOOL - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 MADHYA SURATHKAL MANGALORE DISTRICT-575025. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. VIJAYA KUMAR., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE M.S.BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ, M. S. BUILDING BENGALURU-560 001. 3. THE DIRECTOR OF TRIBAL WELFARE GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA KRISHI BHAVAN, HUDSON CIRCLE BENGALURU-560 002. 4. DISTRICT TRIBAL WELFARE OFFICER DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT O/O PROJECT COORDINATING OFFICER CHOWKI ABBAKA NAGAR, KOTTARA MANGALURU-575006. 5. THE DISTRICT TRIBAL WELFARE OFFICER CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 NO.214, 2ND FLOOR, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BHAVAN B RACHAIAH JODI ROAD, CHAMARAJANAGAR - 571313. 6. THE DISTRICT TRIBAL WELFARE OFFICER MYSURU DISTRICT, O/O PROJECT COORDINATING OFFICER ADI PAMPA ROAD, PADAVARAHALLI MYSURU-570 012. 7. THE DISTRICT TRIBAL WELFARE OFFICER KODAGU DISTRICT O/O PROJECT COORDINATING OFFICER NEW KODAGU ZILLA PANCHAYAT BUILDING 1ST FLOOR, KODAGU DIST.571 201. 8. DAKSHINA KANNADA ZILLA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MANGALURU-575 001. 9. KODAGU ZILLA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MADIKERI-571 201. 10. MYSURU ZILLA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MYSURU-570 001. 11. CHAMARAJNAGAR ZILLA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHAMARAJNAGAR-571 313. - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 12. VIVEKANANDA GIRIJANA KALYANA KENDRA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY B.R.HILLS, YELANDOOR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR-571 440. 13. NEHRU YUVAKA KENDRA REPRESENTED BY ITS DISTRICT YOUTH COORDINATOR BEHIND PWD, NEHRU MAIDAN ROAD MANGALORE-575 001. 14. SHRI SHIVANNA S/O CHIKKAMALLUR AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS R/O PUNAJANUR VILLAGE AND POST CHAMARAJA NAGAR TALUK AND DISTRICT-571 127. 15. SHRI SOMESHA S/O SANNAIAH AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS KALASUR,VILLAGE AND POST H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571116. 16. SHRI SURESHA D S/O DEVAIAH AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS HAMPAPURA VILLAGE AND POST H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571 125. 17. SHRI MAHESH R S/O K. RATHNAIAH AGED BOUT 53 YEARS DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR STREET AMBALE VILLAGE AND POST - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 YELANDURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571441. 18. SHRI LOKESH Y.S. S/O SRINIVASA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS YASHODHARA PURA VILLAGE HUNSUR TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT 571 105. 19. SHRI RAVI KUMARA H.C. S/O CHANNIGARAYA AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS HUNASETHOPPALU VILLAGE HALAGANAHALLI POST PERIYAPATTANA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT 571187. 20. M.R. RANGASWAMY S/O Y.M. RANGAIAH AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS MALARAPALYA VILLAGE SC STREET GOWDALLI POST YALANDURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571441. 21. SHRI SHIVAKUMARA S S/O SHIVASHANKARAPPA AGED ABOUT 36YEARS PARAMAPURA VILLAGE PADAGURU POST, GUNDLUPET TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571111. 22. MS. RAMAVATHI D/O MUNISHAMI AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 SADALI VILLAGE AND POST SHIDLAGATTA TALUK CHIKKABALLAPURA DIST.562104. 23. SHRI DEVARAJ A. M S/O MAHADEVAIAH AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS AMBEDKAR STREET ANKANASHETTYPURA VILLAGE AND POST CHAMARAJANAGAR TALUK DISTRICT -571127. 24. SHRI RANGAMADAPPA S/O RANGAPPA AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS CHIKKAMARURU VILLAGE PONNACHI POST HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571320. 25. SHRI PRABHUSWAMY S/O SHIVAIAHGOWDA AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS HALEPURA VILLAGE, HARAVE POST CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571127. 26. SHRI GANESHA T S/O THANGAVELU AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS KAKKEHOLA VILLAGE, PONNACHI POST, HANURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571320. 27. SHRI ANANDA S/O BASAVANNA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 ASTHURU VILLAGE PONNACHI POST, HANURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571320. 28. SHRI MADESHA M S/O MADAIAH AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS KONANKERE VILLAGE VADAKEHALLA POST HANUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571320. 29. SMT.SUMATHI W/O MADESH K AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS TIMMARAJIPURA VILLAGE KEMPANAPALYA POST KOLLEGAL TALUK CHAMRAJANAGAR DIST.571440. 30. SMT.KAVITHA C W/O MAHESH M AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS NO.1510, VINAYAKA COLONY T.NARASIPURA TOWN MYSURU DISTRICT-571124. 31. SHRI RAMESH M S/O MADAIAH B AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS UDBURU VILLAGE N.BELATHURU POST H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571114. 32. SHRI MANJU S S/O SHRIKANTHAPPA - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS ASHRAYA BADVANE H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571114. 33. SHRI MAHESHA S S/O LATE SHANKARA AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS BOODAHALLI VILLAGE, CHIDARAVALLI POST SOSALE HOBLI T.NARASIPURA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571120. 34. SHRI RAJU M S/O LATE MAHADEVAIAH AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS KENDANA KOPPALU VILLAGE BENAKANAHALLI POST, SOSALE HOBLI T.NARASIPURA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571110. 35. SHRI VENKATESHA M S/O MADU NAIKA M AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS SATHYAMANGALA VILLAGE DINNALLI POST, HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571444. 36. SHRI SHASHIKUMAR S/O CHINNARAJU AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS MARURU VILLAGE, PONNACHI POST HANURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571444. - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 37. SHRI RAVINDRA C S/O CHIKKANNA AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS DODDINDUVADI VILLAGE AND POST KOLLEGAL TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571443. 38. SHRI SHIVARAJU S S/O SIDDARAJU AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS AMBEDKAR STREET MANAGALLI VILLAGE AND POST HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571439. 39. SMT SHIVAMMA E W/O LATE NANJUNDASWAMY S AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS MANGALA VILLAGE AND POST HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571439. 40. SMT.NAGAVENI R W/O NAGARAJA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS DIBBURAHALLI VILLAGE AND POST SIDDALAGHATTA TALUK CHICKKABALLAPURA DIST.562105. 41. MS.KAMALA V D/O VENKATESHAPPA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS CHOWDASANDRA VILLAGE MELUR POST, SIDDALAGHATTA TALUK CHICKKABALLAPURA DIST.562102. - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 42. SHRI VENKATESHA M S/O MUTHURANI AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS NO.1/262, BASAVANNAGUDI STREET BHEEMANAGARA, KOLLEGAL TOWN AND TQ. CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571440. 43. MS. SHRUTHI N D/O NANJAIAH AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS DOOR NO.1/217, JOHN HANUMANTAPPA STREET (BHIMANAGARA), KOLLEGAL TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571440. 44. MS. CHANDRAMMA D/O MUTTEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, GANIG MANGAL, SHAGYA POST, HANUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571439. 45. SHRI CHANDAN KUMAR S/O LATE MAHADEVARAJU AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS NO.10/1, LINGAYATH STREET, AJJIPURA VILLAGE POST, HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DIST.571439. 46. SHRI GANESHACHARI M.M S/O MALLACHARI, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, SHRIRANGALA VILLAGE AND POST, KUSHALANAGARA TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT.571232. - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 47. SHRI SUDHAKARA S S/O SANNAMADAPPA, AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, KAKKEHOLA, MARURU VILLAGE PONNACHI POST, HANURU TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571320. 48. SHRI LOKESHA M S/O MAHADEVA SWAMY, AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS, LINGAYATH STREET ODEYARAPALYA VILLAGE POST HANURU TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571457. 49. SMT. Y.S. SAVITA W/O MAHADEVA SWAMY AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS OLD AMBEDKAR STATE JYOTI GHODANATHPURA VILLAGE CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DIST.571 117. 50. SHRI PRADEEPA S.T S/O THIPPANNA, AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, BANDESHWARI TEMPLE OPPSTREET, SHIVANI AT POST, AJJAMAURA TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALORE DIST.577 549. 51. SMT.LATHA H W/O SURESH C, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS AMBEDKAR NAGARA MARAVAJI - 16 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 KADUR TALUK CHIKKAMAGALUR DIST.577548. 52. SMT.SARITHA B.N W/O YOGESH K.G AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS MANIMAKKI VILLAGE, KELAGURU POST CHIKKAMAGALUR TALUK AND DIST.577111. 53. SMT.CHAYYA C.R W/O SHIVAKUMAR K.B AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS B.H.KAIMARA VILLAGE ECHIKERE, KODAGI POST NARASIMHARAJAPURA TALUK CHIKKAMAGALUR DIST.577134. 54. SMT.YASHODAMMA B.C W/O PUTTAPPA M AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS BISALERIVILLAGE, BISLERI POST KADUR TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALUR DIST.577116. 55. SMT.PRATHIMA M.D W/O PRASANTH S.K AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS KANCHI NAGARA HONNAVALLI POST SHRINGERI TALUK CHIKKAMGALUR DIST.577 139. 56. SHRI PRASANNA S.H S/O HANUMANTHAPPA LAKKADIKOTE VILLAGE, - 17 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 BILUVALA POST KADUR TALUK CHIKKAMAGALUR DIST.577 548. 57. SHRI YOGESH K.G S/O GANGADHARA K.T AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS MANIMAKKI VILLAGE, KELAGURU POST CHIKKAMAGALUR TALUK AND DISTRICT -577 111. 58. SMT.KAVITHA S.S W/O RAGHU AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS JANATHA COLONY, SHIVANI POST AJJAMPURA TALUK CHIKKAMGALORE DISTRICT. 59. SHRI PARAMESHWARAPPA M.G S/O GANGADARAPPA AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS VENKATESHWARA NAGARA, 7TH WARD, KALGUNDI, KADURU TALUK CHIKKAMGALURU DISTRICT-577 548. 60. SHRI HONNAGIRI SHANKARAPPA D.K S/O A. KALAIAH AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS DEPUR VILLAGE KONASSURU POST, PIRIYAPATTANA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571102. - 18 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 64. SMT.SHASHIKALA S W/O HONNAGIRI SHANKARAPPA AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS D.K.DEPUR VILLAGE, KONASSURU POST PERIYAPATTANA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571102. 65. SHRI GIRISH K.S S/O SHIVANNA K.G. AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS KOLURU VILLAGE AND POST CHUNCHANAKATTE HOBLI K.R.NAGARA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571617. 66. SHRI PRAVEENA H.N. S/O NAGESHA H.G AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS BALELE VILL AND POST PONNAMPET TALUK. 67. SMT.SHWETHA N W/O B.V.SRINIVASA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS NO.3114, HOUSING BOARD COLONY NEAR LIBRARY, H.D.KOTE TOWN H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571114. 68. SHRI UMESH R AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS NAGANAPURA COLONY, NAGANAPURA POST NAJANAGUDU TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571315. - 19 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 69. SHRI MANJUNATHA H S S/O LATE SIDDAIAH AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS HORALAHALLI VILLAGE AND POST NARASIPURA TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571120. 70. MS.PUTTAMMA D/O KOOSAIAH AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS ANKANATHAPURA VILLAGE, HIREHALLI POST, H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571114. 71. SHRI REVANNA R S/O RAJANNA DODADAHALLI VILLAGE NANJIPURA POST, SARAGUR TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571301. 72. SHRI MAHADEVASWAMY S/O DODDAIAH AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS KENCHANAHALLI VILLAGE KALASUR POST, H.D.KOTE TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571116. 73. MS.SOWMYA D.S D/O SIDDARAJANAYAKA AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS DEVANURU VILLAGE AND POST NANJANAGUDU TALUK MYSURU DISTRICT-571301. 74. SHRI ASHOKA B.C S/O CHANDRA B.D AGED ABOUT 36YEARS - 20 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 BALUR VILLAGE AND POST MUDIGERE TALUK CHIKKAMAGALUR DIST.577122. 75. SHRI PUTTASAWAMY N S/O NANJAIAH AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS KEMPANAPURA VILLAGE AND POST CHAMARAJANAGAR TALUK AND DISTRICT -57111. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.VIJAY KUMAR., ADVOCATE) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO i) SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 18/01/2024 PASSED BY THE HONBLE TRIBUNAL IN APPLICATION NOS. 77- 148/2024 (VIDE ANNEXURE-A) AND ALLOW THE APPLICATIONS AS PRAYED FOR (VIDE ANNEXURE-B). THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF - 21 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD) The petitioners are applicants with the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal [for short, 'the Tribunal'] in the applications in OA Nos.77- 148/2024, which the Tribunal has disposed of on 18.01.2024. Some of the co-applicants with the petitioners have preferred the writ petition in WP No.9712/2025, and this Court has disposed of this petition on 31.10.2025 restoring the application for reconsideration stipulating that those petitioners and the respondents shall appear before the Tribunal on 15.12.2025. 2. This Court must observe that the Tribunal has rejected the applications essentially on the ground that the petitioners, who had the benefit of its earlier orders, could not have filed a representation invoking its jurisdiction once again unless they applied for contempt, and this Court has opined that - 22 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 in view of two determinative factors [i.e., the Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj has not considered the representations despite specific directions and the petitioners continuance in service] the Tribunal could not have dismissed the petition on such grounds. 3. This Court, for reasons of parity, must intervene even in this petition and restore the application even insofar as the present petitioners for due reconsideration by the Tribunal, stipulating that even these petitioners must appear before the Tribunal without further notice on 15.12.2025 or any other date that the Tribunal may adjourn those applications to be listed. The next question is because of the submissions by Sri Vijaya Kumar, the learned counsel for the petitioners that the petitioners are paid a small part of the salary which otherwise would be paid to regular appointees. - 23 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 4. The petitioners are working as 'the Assistant Teachers' with schools established for the benefit of students from the Tribal communities, and they have been so employed from the year 2000- 2001. Sri Vijaya Kumar canvasses that despite all the years of service put in by the petitioners discharging the responsibilities assigned to sanctioned posts, they are being paid only a sum of Rs.10,500/- per month [a small portion of the salary otherwise admitted to regular appointees]. 5. This Court, in the light of this submission, has called upon Sri Vikas Rojipura, the learned Additional Government Advocate, who is called upon to accept notice for the respondents, to secure instructions from the respondents. Sri Vikas Rojipura, on instructions, has placed before this Court that the petitioners may not be right in asserting that they are being paid only Rs.10,500/- - 24 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 because his instructions are that they are being paid around Rs.16,000/- per month. 6. This Court must observe that Sri Vikas Rojipura cannot dispute that even this amount is much lower than the amount that is paid to the regular appointees to the posts. This Court is of the considered view that the Tribunal, even before the decision on the merits of the applications for regularization of appointment, must also consider whether the rule of 'equal pay for equal work' must apply or that the State, in the present circumstances, could carve out an exception to the application of this Rule. In the light of the afore, the following: ORDER [a] The petition is allowed in part quashing the Tribunal's order dated 18.01.2024 in Application Nos. 77-148 of 2024 even as regards the present petitioners, calling upon them and the respondents to appear - 25 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52799-DB WP No. 33691 of 2024 before the Tribunal without further notice on 15.12.2025 or such date as the Tribunal may further direct their applications to be listed. [b] The petitioners are reserved with liberty to seek interim orders on a better pay based on the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' as aforementioned. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE Sd/- (T.M.NADAF) JUDGE AN/-