- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND WRIT PETITION No. 4094 OF 2023 (S-KSAT) BETWEEN: 1. K .N. SUDHA MANI, D/O NARAYANA GOWDA, AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, WORKING AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, T. NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSURU DISTRICT 571124. …PETITIONER (BY SRI A. NAGARAJAPPA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY ITS UNDER SECRETARY-1, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, VIKASA SOUDHA, BENGALURU 560001. 2. THE COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, M. S. BUILDING, BENGALURU 560001. Digitally signed by VINUTHA B S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 3. THE DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF TRIBUNAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, No.34, 1ST FLOOR, LOTUS TOWERS, RACE COURSE ROAD, BENGALURU-560001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI V. SHIVAREDDY, AGA FOR R1 TO R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASHING THE ORDER IMPOSING PUNISHMENT AGAINST THE PETITIONER BEARING No.SaKaNi/Sibbadndi-2/CR-22/17-18 DATED 27.12.2019 VIDE ANNEXURE-A9 PASSED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT AUTHORITY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: 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) The petitioner aggrieved by order dated 13.10.2022 in Application No.954/2020 passed by the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, Bengaluru (for short 'the Tribunal') whereunder, the petitioner's prayer to quash the order of penalty dated 27.12.2019 (Annexure-A9) imposing penalty of withholding two increments without cumulative effect and recovery of a sum of Rs.1,51,700/- by installment, is rejected. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 2. Heard learned counsel Sri. A. Nagarajappa for the petitioner and learned Additional Government Advocate Sri. V. Shivareddy for respondent Nos.1 to 3. Perused the entire writ petition papers. 3. The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner while working as Assistant Director of Department of Social Welfare, K.R. Pete Taluk, Articles of Charge dated 22.11.2016 was issued, alleging certain misconduct in not performing her supervisory duty over the Pre-metric Boys Hostel, K.R. Pete. On the said articles of charge, a detailed enquiry was conducted and the Enquiry Officer submitted report dated 15.05.2019 holding that Charge No.1 is proved and Charge Nos.2 and 3 are partly proved. 3.1 The petitioner was issued with second show cause notice dated 18.07.2019 along with the enquiry report. The petitioner is said to have submitted a reply. The Disciplinary Authority, the State Government, on considering the enquiry report and reply of the petitioner, imposed penalty under impugned order dated 27.12.2019 imposing penalty of - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 withholding two increments without cumulative effect and recovery of a sum of Rs.1,51,700/- in 31 installments. Questioning the said order of penalty, the petitioner was before the Tribunal. 3.2 The Tribunal under impugned order was of the opinion that the Disciplinary Authority examined entire materials and thereafter proceeded to impose the penalty. The Tribunal also observed that looking to the nature and gravity of charge, the penalty is reasonable, proper and proportionate. Aggrieved by the order of penalty as well as the order of the Tribunal, the petitioner is before this Court in this writ petition. 4. Learned counsel Sri. A. Nagarajappa for the petitioner would submit that there is no material whatsoever to prove the charge against the petitioner. Further, he submits that the alleged charge against the petitioner is baseless and the charges alleged against the petitioner relates to the Warden of the Pre-metric Boys Hostel, K.R. Pete. He further that the charge levelled against the Warden, enquiry was conducted and was exonerated for the same allegation, as such, the petitioner - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 ought to have been exonerated when the charges against the warden is not proved. 4.1 Further, learned counsel would submit that in view of the penalty, the petitioner's promotion was denied to the next higher cadre of Deputy Director. It is also submitted that the petitioner has submitted representation to the respondents to consider her case for promotion to the next higher cadre of Deputy Director as the period of punishment has already been over. Thus, he would pray for appropriate direction to the respondent-authorities. 5. Per contra, learned Additional Government Advocate Sri. V. Shivareddy for respondent Nos.1 to 3 would submit that the respondents imposed penalty under order dated 27.12.2019 for the proved misconduct. Learned AGA would submit that the enquiry officer has held that the charges are proved based on the material placed on record. It is submitted that the Disciplinary Authority examined PW.1 to PW.4 and marked several documents to prove the charges against the petitioner. The petitioner was given all the opportunity to defend herself in the enquiry. It is further - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 submitted that there are no procedural irregularities alleged and as the punishment imposed is on proved misconduct, he prays for dismissal of the writ petition. 6. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and on perusal of the entire material on record, we are not inclined to interfere with the order of penalty as well as order passed by the Tribunal, wherein the Tribunal upon examination of the entire material has come to the conclusion that the Disciplinary Authority imposed penalty of withholding two increments without cumulative effect and recovery of a sum of Rs.1,51,700/- and proceeded to impose the penalty. The Tribunal has also observed that looking to the nature and gravity of charge, the imposition of penalty is reasonable and proportionate. 7. The charge against the petitioner reads as follows: "DgÉÆÃ¥À:-1 PÀÄ: ¸ÀÄzsÁªÀÄtÂ. PÉ. J£ï. ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄPÀ ¤zÉÃð±ÀPÀgÀÄ, ¸ÀªÀiÁd PÀ¯Áåt E¯ÁSÉ, PÉ. Dgï. ¥ÉÃmÉ vÁ®ÆèPÀÄ, DzÀ ¤ÃªÀÅ ¸ÀªÀiÁd PÀ¯Áåt E¯ÁSÉAiÀÄ PÁAiÀÄðPÀæªÀÄUÀ¼À£ÀÄß ¸ÀªÀÄ¥ÀðPÀªÁV C£ÀĵÁÖ£ÀUÉƽ¸ÀzÉÃ, ²æà zÉêÀgÁdÄ, ¢£ÀUÀÆ° ªÁqÀð£ï, ªÉÄnæPï ¥ÀƪÀð ¨Á®PÀgÀ «zÁåy𠤮AiÀÄ, PÉ. 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Dgï. ¥ÉÃmÉ ¤®AiÀÄPÉÌ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¹zÀAvÉ 2014-15 £Éà ¸Á°£À ºÁdgÁw PÀÄjvÀAvÉ AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà DPÉëÃ¥ÀuÉ ªÀåPÀÛ¥Àr¹gÀĪÀÅ¢®è. 2015-16 £Éà ¸Á°£À ºÁdgÁwUÉ ¸ÀA§A¢¹zÀAvÉ ªÀiÁvÀæ PÉ® wAUÀ½¤AzÀ PÀrªÉÄ «zÁåyðUÀ¼ÀÄ EgÀĪÀ §UÉÎ ¥Àæ¸ÁÛ¦¹gÀĪÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß UÀªÀĤ¹zÀgÉ ªÁqÀð£ïgÀªÀjUÀÆ ¤ªÀÄUÀÆ ªÉÊAiÀÄQÛPÀ zÉéõÀ EgÀĪÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß UÀªÀĤ¸À¯ÁVzÉ. 2014-15 £Éà ¸Á°£À°è ¸ÀzÀj ¤®AiÀÄzÀ°è£À ºÁdgÁw §UÉÎ AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà DPÉëÃ¥À ªÀåQÛ¥Àr¹gÀĪÀÅ¢®è DzÀgÉ 2015-16 £Éà ¸Á°£À°è ¤®AiÀÄzÀ°è PÀrªÉÄ «zÁåyðUÀ½gÀĪÀ §UÉÎ ¥Àj²Ã°¹gÀĪÀÅzÁV £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹gÀÄwÛÃj. vÀ¥Á¸ÀuÉ ªÉüÉAiÀÄ°è ¥Àj²Ã°¹zÀAvÉ ²æà zÉêÀgÁdÄ, ¢£ÀUÀÆ° ªÁqÀð£ï, EªÀgÀÄ ¸ÀĪÀiÁgÀÄ 41 «zÁåyðUÀ½UÉ dÆ£ï 2015 jAzÀ r¸ÉA§gï 2015gÀ ªÀgÉ«UÉ ¸ÀļÀÄî - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 ºÁdgÁw £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹gÀĪÀÅzÀÄ PÀAqÀÄ §A¢gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. EzÀjAzÁV F PɼÀPÀAqÀAvÉ ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ ºÀt zÀÄgÀÄ¥ÀAiÉÆÃUÀ ¥Àr¹PÉÆArgÀĪÀÅzÀÄ PÀAqÀÄ §A¢gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. PÀæ ¸ÀASÉå ¤®AiÀiÁ yðUÀ¼À ¸ÀASÉå ªÀiÁºÉ MlÄÖ CªÀ¢ü (wAUÀ¼ÀÄ) ¨ÉÆÃd£À ªÉZÀÑ ¥Àæw ¤®AiÀiÁyðUÉ ªÀiÁºÉAiÀiÁ£À MlÄÖ 1 41 dÆ£ï-2015 jAzÀ DUÀ¸ïÖ-2015 3 1000 123.000 2 41 ¸É¥ÀÖA§gï-2015 jAzÀ r¸ÉA§gï- 2015 4 1100 180.400 MlÄÖ 7 303.400 2015-16 £Éà ¸Á°£À°è ªÁqÀð£ï gÀªÀgÀÄ 7 wAUÀ¼À CªÀ¢üAiÀÄ°è ¸ÀĪÀiÁgÀÄ (dÆ£ï 2015 jAzÀ r¸ÉA§gï 2015) CªÀ¢üAiÀÄ°è MlÄÖ 3.03.400/-UÀ¼À ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ C£ÀÄzsÁ£ÀªÀ£ÀÄß zÀÄgÀÄ¥ÀAiÉÆÃUÀ¥Àr¹PÉÆAqÀÄ, F ºÀt zÀÄgÀÄ¥ÀAiÉÆÃUÀzÀ°è ªÁqÀð£ïgÀªÀgÉÆA¢UÉ ¤ÃªÀÅ ¸ÀºÀ ±Á«ÄïÁV ºÀt zÀÄgÀÄ¥ÀAiÉÆÃUÀ ¥Àr¹PÉÆArgÀĪÀÅzÀÄ PÀAqÀħA¢zÀÄÝ PÀ£ÁðlPÀ £ÁUÀjÃPÀ ¸ÉêÁ (£ÀqÀvÉ) ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 1966 gÀ 3(1)(i.ii.iii)£ÀÄß G®èAX¹, PÀ£ÁðlPÀ £ÁUÀjÃPÀ ¸ÉêÁ (ªÀVÃðPÀgÀt, ¤AiÀÄAvÀæt & ªÉÄîä£À«) ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 1957 gÀ£ÀéAiÀÄ ²¸ÀÄÛ PÀæªÀÄPÉÌ UÀÄjAiÀiÁVgÀÄwÛÃj. DgÉÆÃ¥À:- 3 PÀÄ: ¸ÀÄzsÁªÀÄtÂ, PÉ. J£ï. ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄPÀ ¤zÉÃð±ÀPÀgÀÄ, PÉ.Dgï.¥ÉÃmÉ vÁ®ÆèPÀÄ DzÀ ¤ÃªÀÅ ªÉÄnæPï ¥ÀƪÀð ¨Á®PÀgÀ «zÁåy𠤮AiÀÄ, PÉ. Dgï. ¥ÉÃmÉ mË£ï, E°è£À £ÀÆå£ÀvÉ PÀÄjvÀÄ ²æà zÉêÀgÁdÄ, ¢£ÀUÀÆ° ªÁqÀð£ï, EªÀgÀ eÉÆvÉV£À ªÉÊAiÀÄQÛPÀ zÉéõÀ¢AzÀ ¤®AiÀÄzÀ°è GzÀ⫹gÀĪÀ AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà ¸ÀªÀĸÉåUÀ¼À PÀÄjvÀÄ D ¸ÀªÀĸÉåAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¤ªÁj¸ÀĪÀ ¤nÖ£À°è f¯Áè ºÀAvÀzÀ°è£À f¯Áè¢PÁjUÀ¼ÀÄ/ªÀÄÄRå PÁAiÀÄð¤ªÀðºÀuÁ¢üPÁjUÀ¼ÀÄ CxÀªÁ PÉÃAzÀæ PÀbÉÃjAiÀÄ°è£À E¯ÁSÁ ªÀÄÄRå¸ÀÜgÀ UÀªÀÄ£ÀPÉÌ vÀAzÀÄ CUÀvÀå PÀæªÀÄ PÉÊUÉƼÀÀÄzÁVvÀÄÛ DzÀgÉ F ªÉÊAiÀÄQÛPÀ zÉéõÀzÀ »£À߯ÉAiÀÄ°è ¥ÀvÀæPÀvÀðgÀ£ÀÄß PÀgɹgÀĪÀÅzÀÄ C®èzÉà ¥ÀwæPÉUÀ¼À°è ¥ÀæPÀluÉAiÀiÁVgÀĪÀÅzÀÄ F J¯Áè CA±ÀUÀ¼À£ÀÄß UÀªÀĤ¹zÁUÀ ªÁqÀð£ï ºÁUÀÆ ¤ªÀÄä £ÀqÀÄªÉ ªÉÊAiÀÄQÛPÀ »vÁ¸ÀQÛ/zÉéõÀ ªÀÄ£ÉÆèsÁªÀ£É - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 G®âtUÉÆAqÀÄ E¯ÁSÉUÉ PÉlÖ ºÉ¸ÀgÀÄ §gÀ®Ä PÁgÀtgÁVgÀÄwÛÃj. PÀ£ÁðlPÀ £ÁUÀjÃPÀ ¸ÉêÁ (£ÀqÀvÉ) ¤AiÀĪÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ 1966 gÀ ¤AiÀĪÀÄ (24) gÀAvÉ AiÀiÁgÉà ¸ÀPÁðj £ËPÀgÀ£ÀÄ ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ ¥ÀƪÀð ªÀÄAdÆgÁw ¥ÀqÉAiÀÄzÀ ºÉÆgÀvÀÄ AiÀiÁªÀ C¢üPÀÈvÀ PÀÈvÀåªÀÅ ¥ÀæwPÀÆ® nÃPÉAiÀÄ CxÀªÁ ªÀiÁ£ÀºÁ¤ ¸ÀégÀÆ¥ÀzÀ ¤AzsÀ£ÉAiÀÄ ªÀ¸ÀÄÛ «µÀAiÀĪÁVgÀĪÀÅzÉÆà D AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà C¢üPÀÈvÀ PÀÈvÀåzÀ ¸ÀªÀÄxÀð£ÉUÁV AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà £ÁåAiÀiÁ®AiÀÄPÉÌ CxÀªÁ ¥ÀwæPÉUÉ ªÉÆgÉ ºÉÆÃUÀvÀPÀÌzÀÝ®è JA§ÄzÁV ¸ÀàµÀÖ¥Àr¸À¯ÁVzÉ DzÀgÉ ¤ÃªÀÅ E¯ÁSÁ ªÀÄÄRå¸ÀÜgÀÄ / ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ ¥ÀƪÁð£ÀĪÀÄw ¥ÀqÉAiÀÄzÉà ¸ÀzÀj £ËPÀgÀgÀ «gÀÄzÀÞ Qæ«Ä£À¯ï ªÉÆPÀzÀݪÉÄ zÁR°¹ £ÀqÀvÉ ¤AiÀĪÀÄ (24) £ÀÄß G®èAX¹gÀÄwÛÃj. F jÃw PÀvÀðªÀå ¯ÉÆÃ¥ÀªÉ¸ÀUÀĪÀ ªÀÄÆ®PÀ PÀ£ÁðlPÀ £ÁUÀjÃPÀ ¸ÉêÁ (£ÀqÀvÉ) ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 1966 gÀ 3(1)(i.ii.iii)£ÀÄß G®èAX¹, PÀ£ÁðlPÀ £ÁUÀjÃPÀ ¸ÉêÁ (ªÀVÃðPÀgÀt, ¤AiÀÄAvÀæt & ªÉÄîä£À«) ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 1957 gÀ£ÀéAiÀÄ ²¸ÀÄÛ PÀæªÀÄPÉÌ UÀÄjAiÀiÁVgÀÄwÛÃj ¸À»/- DAiÀÄÄPÀÛgÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ ²¸ÀÄÛ ¥Áæ¢üPÁjUÀ¼ÀÄ, ¸ÀªÀiÁd PÀ¯Áåt E¯ÁSÉ, ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ." 8. In sum and substance, the charge against the petitioner is that the petitioner has failed to take action against the Warden for his mismanagement of the Pre-metric Boys Hostel at K.R. Pete. It is also alleged that the Warden at Pre-metric Boys Hostel, K.R. Pete has misutilised the grant given for the hostel and it was also alleged that the said misutilisation was in connivance with the petitioner. Before the enquiry officer, four witnesses were examined on behalf of the Disciplinary Authority and several documents were marked by - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 the disciplinary authority. At paragraph Nos.56 and 60 of the enquiry report, the observation reads as follows: "56. ¤±Á£É ¦-8 JA§ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ ¥ÀÄl ¸ÀASÉå 11 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 12gÀ°è MzÀV¹gÀĪÀ ¥ÀnÖPÉUÀ¼À°è PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 1, 8, 13 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 16gÀ £Á®égÀÄ «zÁåyðUÀ¼ÀÄ MAzÀÄ wAUÀ½¤AzÀ; PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 2 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 15gÀ E§âgÀÄ «zÁåyðUÀ¼ÀÄ JgÀqÀÄ wAUÀ½¤AzÀ; PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 4gÀ «zÁåyð £Á®ÄÌ wAUÀ½¤AzÀ ºÁUÀÆ PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 17gÀ «zÁåyð MAzÀÄ ªÁgÀ¢AzÀ §gÀÄwÛ®èªÉAzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¸À¯ÁVzÉ. PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 22gÀ «zÁåyð DgÀÄ wAUÀ½¤AzÀ §gÀÄwÛ®èªÉAzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¸À¯ÁVzÀÝgÉ PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 18 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 31gÀªÀgÀÄ ¤®AiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß ©nÖgÀĪÀgÉAzÀÄ ºÉüÀ¯ÁVzÉ. PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 34gÀªÀgÀÄ ±Á¯ÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ©nÖgÀĪÀgÉAzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¸À¯ÁVzÉ. E£ÀÄß PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 3 ¥ÁægÀA¨sÀ¢AzÀ®Æ §gÀÄwÛ®è JAzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹zÀÝgÉ PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 7, 9, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23jAzÀ 30, 32, 33, 35jAzÀ 41gÀªÀgÉV£À 23 «zÁåyðUÀ¼ÀÄ AiÀiÁªÁV¤AzÀ '§gÀÄwÛ®è ªÉAzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹®è. PÀæªÀÄ ¸ÀASÉå 5, 10, 11 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 20 gÁwæ ªÉÃ¼É ªÀiÁvÀæ EgÀĪÀÅ¢®èªÉ£À߯ÁVzÉ. AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà jÃw ¯ÉPÀÌ ºÁQzÀgÀÆ DgÉÆÃ¥ÀzÀ°ègÀĪÀAvÉ K¼ÀÄ wAUÀ¼ÀÄUÀ½AzÀ 41 «zÁåyðUÀ¼À ¸ÀA§AzsÀ ¤®AiÀÄ ªÉZÀÑ gÀÆ.3,03,400/- DVzÉ J£Àß®Ä ¸ÁzsÀåªÉà E®è, vÀ¥Á¸ÀuÉ £ÀqÉ¢gÀĪÀÅzÀÄ ªÀiÁZïð 2016gÀ°è. PÀ.D.£Ë.2gÀªÀgÀÄ d£ÀªÀj 2016gÀ°èAiÉÄà PÉ.Dgï.¥ÉÃmÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ©nÖzÁÝgÉ. ªÉÄïÁV MAzÀÄ ªÁgÀ¢AzÀ/MAzÀÄ CxÀªÁ JgÀqÀÄ wAUÀ½¤AzÀ §gÀÄwÛ®èªÉA§ÄzÀÄ CªÀgÀ PÁAiÀiÁðªÀ¢üUÉ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¸ÀĪÀÅ¢®è, 60. ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ C¢üPÀÈvÀ eÁÐ¥À£Á ¸ÀASÉå r.¦.J.Dgï.9 J¸ï.r.E. 86 ¢£ÁAPÀ 05.08.1986gÀ C£ÀĸÁgÀ ¥ÀƪÀð¨sÁ« vÀ¤SÉAiÀÄ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ DzsÁgÀzÀ°è ¥Áæ.¸Á.2jAzÀ 4gÀªÀgÀ ¸ÁPÀëåªÀ£ÀÄß DgÉÆÃ¥ÀªÀ£ÀÄß ¤tð¬Ä¸ÀĪÀÅzÀPÉÌ §¼À¹PÉƼÀî®Ä §gÀĪÀÅ¢®è JA§ÄzÁV ªÁ¢¸À¯ÁVzÉ. ªÉÄîÌAqÀ C¢üPÀÈvÀ eÁÐ¥À£Á '«µÀAiÀÄ' zÀrAiÀÄ°è ºÉýgÀĪÀAvÉ EzÀÄ DgÉÆÃ¥À ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß vÀAiÀiÁj¸ÀĪÀ §UÉÎ ²¸ÀÄÛ ¥Áæ¢üPÁgÀPÉÌ ¤ÃqÀ¯ÁVgÀĪÀ ¸ÀÆZÀ£ÉAiÀiÁVzÉ. ¥ÀƪÀð¨sÁ« vÀ¤SÉ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ£ÀÄß ªÀiÁvÀæ DzsÁgÀªÁVlÄÖPÉÆAqÀÄ DgÉÆÃ¥À¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß vÀAiÀiÁj¹, C£ÀħAzsÀ-3 JA§ zÀ¸ÁÛªÉÃdÄ ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ°è ¸ÀzÀj ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¸ÉÃj¹gÀĪÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß UÀªÀÄ£ÀPÉÌ vÀAzÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ, ¥ÀƪÀð¨sÁ« vÀ¤SÉAiÀÄ DzsÁgÀzÀ ªÉÄÃ¯É AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà C¥ÁzÀ£É ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß vÀAiÀiÁj¸ÀĪÀÅzÁUÀ°Ã CxÀªÁ F ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ£ÀÄß D¥ÁzÀ£É ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ°è £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¸ÀĪÀÅzÁUÀ°Ã ªÀiÁqÀPÀÆqÀzÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ D¥ÁzÀ£Á ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¸ÀA§AzsÀ¥ÀlÖ zÁR¯ÉUÀ¼À£ÀÄß DzsÀj¹ - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 ªÀiÁvÀæ vÀAiÀiÁj¹ D¥Á¢vÀ £ËPÀgÀ¤UÉ MzÀV¸À¨ÉÃPÉAzÀÄ ªÉÄîÌAqÀ C¢üPÀÈvÀ eÁÕ¥À£ÀzÀ°è ¸ÀÆa¸À¯ÁVzÉ. ºÁ° ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ°è£À DgÉÆÃ¥À¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ªÀÄvÀÄÛ C£ÀħAzsÀ-3gÀ°è £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¸À¯ÁzÀ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¹zÀ zÁR¯ÁwUÀ¼À£ÀÄß ¸ÀÆPÀëäªÁV ¥Àj²Ã°¹zÁUÀ DgÉÆÃ¥À¥ÀnÖAiÀÄÄ PÉêÀ® ¤±Á£É ¦-8 JAzÀÄ UÀÄgÀÄw¸À¯ÁzÀ ¥Áæ.¸Á.4gÀªÀgÀ £ÉÃvÀÈvÀézÀ vÀAqÀzÀªÀgÀ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ ªÉÄîµÉÖà CªÀ®A©vÀªÁV®è¢gÀĪÀÅzÀÄ PÀAqÀħgÀÄvÀÛzÉ ¥Áæ.¸Á.1gÀªÀgÀ ºÉýPÉ, «zÁåy𠤮AiÀÄzÀ°è, ¤ªÀð»¸À¯ÁzÀ ««zsÀ ªÀ»UÀ¼ÀÄ, ¥Àæ²ßvÀ WÀl£ÁªÀ½ £ÀqÉzÀ ¸ÀªÀÄAiÀÄzÀ°è, PÀ.D.£Ë.2 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¸ÀA§A¢ü¹zÀ PÀvÀðªÀåzÀ ªÉÄðzÀÝgÉA§ ¸ÀAUÀw, PÉÃAzÀæ PÀbÉÃj ºÉÆgÀr¹zÀÀ ¸ÀÄvÉÆÛïÉUÀ¼ÀÄ/DzÉñÀUÀ¼ÀÄ, PÀ.D.C.1gÀªÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ.D.£Ë.2gÀªÀgÀÄ ¤ÃrgÀĪÀ PÉ®ªÀÅ M¦àUÉUÀ¼ÀÄ (admissions) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ E¯ÁSÉAiÀÄ ««zsÀ C¢üPÁjUÀ¼À £ÀqÀÄªÉ DVgÀĪÀ ¥ÀvÀæ ªÀåªÀºÁgÀ ... EªÉ®èªÀÅUÀ¼À ªÉÄÃ¯É DgÉÆÃ¥À¥ÀnÖAiÀÄÄ DzsÀjvÀªÁVgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. CzÀgÀAvÉ DgÉÆÃ¥À¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ£ÀÄß vÀAiÀiÁj¹ PÀ.D.C.1gÀªÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ.D,£Ë.2gÀªÀjUÉ MzÀV¸À¯ÁVzÉ. EµÀÖPÀÆÌ ªÉÄîÌAqÀ C¢üPÀÈvÀ eÁÕ¥À£ÀzÀ°è ¤µÉâü¹gÀĪÀAvÉ ²¸ÀÄÛ ¥Áæ¢üPÁgÀªÀÅ ¥ÀƪÀð¨sÁ« vÀ¤SÉAiÀÄ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ£ÀÄß D¥ÁzÀ£É ¥ÀnÖAiÀÄ°è £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹gÀĪÀÅzÀjAzÀ ¸ÀzÀj ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ DzÉñÀzÀ G®èAWÀ£É DVgÀĪÀÅzÉA§ÄzÀÄ ¤d, ºÉZÉÑAzÀgÉ CzÀÄ ¥ÀæQæAiÀiÁ ¯ÉÆÃ¥ÀªÉ¤¸À§®ÄèzÀÄ. ªÁ¸ÀÛªÀªÁV ªÉÄÃ¯É ºÉýzÀ ¸ÀA§AzsÀ¥ÀlÖ zÁR¯ÉUÀ¼À£ÀÄß ªÀÄvÀÄÛ EvÀgÀ ¸ÁPÀëå ¸ÁªÀÄVæUÀ¼À£ÀÄß DzsÀj¹ «ªÁzÁA±ÀUÀ¼À ªÉÄÃ¯É F «ZÁgÀuÉAiÀÄ°è, ¤tðAiÀÄUÀ¼À£ÀÄß PÉÊUÉƼÀî¯ÁVzÉAiÉÄà «£ÀB PÉêÀ® ¥ÀƪÀð¨sÁ« «ZÁgÀuÁ ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ ªÉÄÃ¯É C®è. DzÀÄzÀjAzÀ F ±ÀÄzÁÞAUÀ vÁAwæPÀ DPÉëÃ¥ÀuÉAiÀÄ (purely technical objection) ªÉÄÃ¯É F «ZÁgÀuÉ C£ÀÆfðvÀªÉAzÀÄ ¤tð¬Ä¸À®Ä §gÀĪÀÅ¢®èªÉA§ÄzÀÄ «ZÁgÀuÁ¢üPÁjAiÀÄ £ÀªÀÄæ C©ü¥ÁæAiÀĪÁVzÉ. DUÀ¯Éà ºÉýgÀĪÀAvÉ, ¤gÀƦ¸À¯ÁzÀ ªÁ¸ÀÛªÁA±ÀUÀ¼À ªÉÄÃ¯É PÁ£ÀƤ£À HºÉ (legal Inference flowing from the proved facts) ªÀiÁqÀ®Ä CªÀPÁ±À EzÉÝà EgÀÄvÀÛzÉ, F ¥ÀæAiÀÄvÀߪÀ£Éßà «ZÁgÀuÁ¢üPÁjAiÀÄÄ ªÉÄîÌAqÀ ªÁPÀåªÀÈAzÀUÀ¼À°è ªÀiÁrzÁÝgÉ. ºÁ° ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ°è ¸Á©ÃvÁVgÀĪÀ ªÁ¸ÀÛªÁA±ÀUÀ¼À DzsÁgÀzÀ°è PÀ.D.C.1gÀªÀgÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ.D.£Ë.2 gÀªÀgÀÄUÀ¼À PÀvÀðªÀå¯ÉÆÃ¥À«gÀĪÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß ¸ÀàµÀÖªÁV PÁt§ºÀÄzÁVzÉ," 9. The above findings of the enquiry officer are based on the documents which were marked during the enquiry. A perusal of the enquiry report indicates that there was sufficient - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 material to prove the charge and based on the material on record, the enquiry officer has rightly come to the conclusion that charge No.1 is proved and charge Nos.2 and 3 are partly proved. The petitioner was also given an opportunity by issuing second show cause notice to explain findings in the enquiry report. On considering the replies submitted by the petitioner to the second show cause notice, the State has appropriately imposed penalty of withholding two increments without cumulative effect and recovery of a sum of Rs.1,51,700/- which according to us is reasonable and proportionate to the gravity and nature of charge. 10. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Deputy General Manager (Appellate Authority) and Others v. Ajai Kumar Srivastava reported in (2021) 2 SCC 612 has made it clear that unless and until it is shown that the enquiry conducted is in violation of principles of natural justice and when its a case of no evidence, only then the High Court would get jurisdiction to interfere with the findings and penalty. The High Court would not sit as an appellate authority, under judicial review, it would only examine the process of decision making and it would not - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9886-DB WP No. 4094 of 2023 go into the correctness or otherwise of penalty imposed. In that view of the matter, we are of the opinion that there is no merit in the petition and accordingly, the writ petition stands rejected. However, learned counsel for the petitioner points out that the petitioner had made representation dated 20.12.2022 (Anneuxre-R11), requesting the State Government to open the sealed cover followed in her case with regard to her promotion and to give effect to the decision of the DPC as the petitioner has undergone the penalty and the penalty period is also over. In that view of the matter, respondent No.1 is directed to consider the representation dated 20.12.2022 (Annexure-R11) if the petitioner is eligible according to seniority and if there is no other impediment for promotion, pass appropriate order in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from today. Sd/- (S.G.PANDIT) JUDGE Sd/- (K. V. ARAVIND) JUDGE VBS/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 7