- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28070 WP No. 13841 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 13841 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. ALL INDIA UNION BANK SC/ST EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION BY ITS ALL INDIA WORKING PRESIDENT (MH 131/2022) SRI S. SENTHIL KUMAR S/O. SUNDARAM AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SENIOR MANAGER, CCM DEPARTMENT UNION BANK OF INDIA, R.O, KANCHIPURAM CHENNAI 600001 C/O SRINIVASULU D.V. UNION BANK OF INDIA NO. 24, OLD AIRPORT ROAD BRANCH, MURUGESHPALYA BENGALURU 560017 2. ALL INDIA UNION BANK SC/ST EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION BY ITS ALL INDIA DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (M H 131/2022) RAMPRASAD S/O RAMAIAH AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, OCCUPATION CASHIER UNION BANK OF INDIA, DIAMOND DISTRICT BRANCH KODIHALLI BENGALURU -560008 …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. HANUMANTHAPPA HARAVI GOWDAR., ADVOCATE) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28070 WP No. 13841 of 2026 AND: 1. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR UNION BANK OF INDIA CENTRAL OFFICE, MUMBAI VIDHANA BHAVAN MARG NARIMAN POINT MUMBAI 400001 2. THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER (EMPLOYEES RELATIONS DEPARTMENT) UNION BANK OF INDIA CENTRAL OFFICE, MUMBAI VIDHANA BHAVAN MARG NARIMAN POINT MUMBAI 400001 3. ALL INDIA GENERAL SECRETARY ALL INDIA UNION BANK SC/ST EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (MH 131/2022) 3RD FLOOR, 66/80, SERVICE BRANCH, M.S. MARG FORT, MUMBAI-400001 MOB 9594929109 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VIGNESH S. SHETTY., ADVOCATE FOR R1; R2 & R3 ARE SERVED) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 SHALL NOT ACCEPT THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION (NO.49/2026) REGISTERED UNDER ANDHRA PRADESH SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT 2001 AS UNION BANK SC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION DATED 13- 2-2026 VIDE ANNEXURE C ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES ONGOLE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND ETC. THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING , THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28070 WP No. 13841 of 2026 ORAL ORDER 1. The Petitioners are before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a) Issue a Writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent No.1 shall not accept the certificate of registration (No.49/2026) registered under Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act 2001 as Union Bank SC Employees Association dated 13.2.2026 vide Annexure-C issued by the Registrar of Societies Ongole with immediate effect. b) Issue a Writ in the nature of mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to hold on enquiry against 2nd respondent on what basis 2nd respondent issued check of facility for Union Bank Employees Association (UBSCEA) vide Annexure-D dated 06.03.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent to the 3rd respondent without cross verification. c) Issue a writ or order or direction as this Hon’ble Court deems fit under the circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity. 2. The Petitioners claim to be an association of the SC/ST Employees of the Union Bank on an all India basis. The submission is that there being already an association of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, there is a new association sought to be formed by Respondent No.3 under the name and style of Union Bank SC Employee’s Association and Respondent No.2 has provided check-off facility and log-in facility to the said association. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28070 WP No. 13841 of 2026 3. The submission of Sri Hanumantappa Haravi, learned counsel for the Petitioner is that an association of persons belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe already being in existence, no new association could have been registered and or recognised by the Union Bank of India situated in different States, this time in Andhra Pradesh. 4. I am unable to agree with the submission made by learned counsel for the Petitioners inasmuch as right to form an association is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. The Petitioners cannot claim exclusive domain of forming an association of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Any other group of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes can always set up another association so long as they comply with the applicable norms of registering such society. 5. Insofar as the negotiation of terms etc. are concerned in respect of the workers/employees, it would be available for the Petitioners to raise the same with the employer. But they cannot come in the way of registration and recognition of any other - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28070 WP No. 13841 of 2026 association. No grounds being made out, the Writ Petition stands disposed. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE PRS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 68