- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12041 WP No. 17094 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 17094 OF 2023 (S-RES) BETWEEN: SRI H MANJUNATH S/O SANNA HANUMANTHAPPA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS R/AT CHANNAMUMBAPURA VILLAGE ABBALAGERE POST, SAVALANGA ROAD SHIVAMOGGA TALUK & DISTRICT-577204 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRIKANTH M P., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA M S BUILDING, DR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALORE 560001. 2. UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES SHIVAMOGGA-577205 REP. BY ITS VICE CHANCELLOR …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SPOORTHY HEGDE N, HCGP. FOR R1: SRI THYAGARAJA S, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENDORSEMENT DATED: 19.05.2023 BEARING NO. EP 274 SLB 2022 ISSUED BY THE R1 VIDE ANNEXURE-AB AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN ‘B’ GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: Digitally signed by DHANALAKSHMI MURTHY Location: HIGH COURTOF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12041 WP No. 17094 of 2023 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD ORAL ORDER 1. In this writ petition, the petitioner has called in question the impugned endorsement dated 19.05.2023 vide Annexure-AB, whereby respondent No.1 denied the declaration of equivalence of the Bridge Course conducted by the Karnataka State Open University as equivalent to SSLC Examination conducted in SSLC Board. 2. The case of the petitioner is that he was working as a Group ‘D’ employee in respondent-University and retired from the service on 31.08.2023. When he was in service, the petitioner’s name was placed in the seniority list for the post of Attender. Since he had completed 10th standard through Bridge Course, his case was not considered for equivalence in SSLC. Therefore, he approached this Court by filing W.P.No.10333/2020. This Court, by order dated 14.09.2022 held in paragraph Nos.5 and 6 as follows: “5. Accordingly, the Endorsement dated 06.05.2020 (Annexure-Z) is set aside while clarifying that any decision on the substantive representation - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12041 WP No. 17094 of 2023 of the petitioner regarding promotion can be taken once the aspect of equivalence is decided by the State Government. The orders relied on by the learned counsel for the petitioner of the Co-ordinate Bench where orders passed while considering the case of students which is not the case in the present factual matrix and hence such judgments are not applicable. The State Government is still to take a decision and it would be not be appropriate for the Court to pass any orders exercising equitable jurisdiction unless State Government takes a decision in that matter. 6. Needless to state upon decision of equivalence taken by the State as directed herein, petitioner's claim for any rights would date back to the date of legal entitlement. The decision of equivalence is directed to be taken within three [3] months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of the order.” 3. Pursuant to directions of this Court in the above order, respondent No.1 issued impugned endorsement vide Annexure-AB. Being aggrieved by the same, the petitioner is before this Court. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that in similar circumstances, this Court in W.P.No.50268/2014 and connected matters disposed of on - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12041 WP No. 17094 of 2023 04.01.2017 and in W.P.Nos.204770-204774/2014 and connected matter disposed of on 15.12.2014 has held that a degree obtained through the Bridge Course is to be treated as equivalent to PUC. In the present case, the impugned endorsement has been issued without considering all these aspects and without application of mind. Hence, he sought for allowing the writ petition. 5. I have perused the impugned endorsement vide Annexure-AB. The same is issued without assigning any proper reasons. There is no application of mind while issuing the impugned endorsement dated 19.05.2023 vide Annexure-AB. 6. Therefore, the matter requires to be remitted back to the respondent No.1 for reconsideration of the case of the petitioner keeping in view of the directions issued by this Court in W.P.No.10333/2020. 7. Accordingly, following order is passed: ORDER a) The writ petition is allowed. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12041 WP No. 17094 of 2023 b) The impugned endorsement dated 19.05.2023 vide Annexure-AB is hereby quashed. c) Respondent No.1 is directed to reconsider the case of the petitioner keeping in view of the orders passed by this Court in W.P.No.10333/2020 and in W.P.No.50268/2014 and connected matters disposed of on 04.01.2017, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. Sd/- (H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE HA LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 40