- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI WRIT PETITION NO. 15644 OF 2026 (S-RES) BETWEEN: SRI. MAHADEVA R S/O SRI.LATE RANGAPPA.M, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.4/2, 1ST FLOOR, 6TH MAIN, 7TH CROSS, DOORAVANINAGAR, BENGALURU-560016. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NAIK V S., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. ITI LIMITED GOVERNMENT OF INDIA UNDERTAKING, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT ITI BHAVAN, DOORAVANINAGAR, BENGALURU-560016 REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, 2. THE DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER (IMM), HEAD OF DEPARTMENT - IMM, BENGALURU PLANT, (DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY) ITI LIMITED, DOORAVANINAGAR, BENGALURU-560 016. Digitally signed by SUNITHA K S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 3. SRI ANANTA REDDY, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER - IT/QA/W AND INQUIRY OFFICER, ITI LIMITED, BENGALURU PLANT, DOORAVANINAGAR, BENGALURU 560016. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. RICAB CHAND K., ADVOCATE FOR C/R1 (CP 7969/2026) (PUT UP IN WP 11649/2026) R2 SERVED) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA IS FILED PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE ENTIRE RECORDS FROM THE RESPONDENTS AND GRANT THE PETITIONER THE FOLLOWING RELIEFS (A) ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER OR DIRECTION, QUASHING THE IMPUGNED E-MAIL/ENDORSEMENT DATED 14.05.2026 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT A TRUE COPY OF WHICH IS PRODUCED AND MARKED AS ANNEXURE-P SINCE THE 3RD RESPONDENT HAS COMMITTED ERRORS WHICH ARE APPARENT ON THE FACE OF THE RECORDS. (B) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT OF CROSS EXAMINATION OF PWS. 1 AND 5 BY DULY ACCEPTING THE REQUEST MADE BY THE PETITIONER VIDE HIS REPRESENTATION DATED 13.05.2026, A TRUE COPY OF WHICH IS PRODUCED AND MARKED AS ANNEXURE-E. C) PASS SUCH OTHER ORDER/ORDERS , AS DEEMED FIT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 ORAL ORDER The petitioner filed this writ petition seeking the following reliefs: “(a) ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI or any other appropriate Writ or order or direction, quashing the impugned E-mail/endorsement dated 14.05.2026 issued by the 3rd respondent a true copy of which is produced and marked as Annexure-P since the 3rd respondent has committed errors which are apparent on the face of the records. (b) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS or any other appropriate Writ or order or direction directing the 3rd respondent to extend the benefit of cross examination of PWs. 1 and 5 by duly accepting the request made by the petitioner vide his representation dated 13.05.2026, a true copy of which is produced and marked as Annexure-E (c) PASS SUCH OTHER ORDER / ORDERS, as deemed fit in the circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity.” 2. Brief facts leading rise to the filing of this petition are as follows: - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 2.1. An enquiry has been initiated against the petitioner. During the enquiry, witnesses were examined, however, the petitioner could not cross-examine PW1 and PW5. The cross-examination of PW1 and PW5 was taken as nil. Hence, the petitioner had made a request to the Enquiry Officer to permit him to cross-examine PW1 and PW5 by representation dated 13.05.2026 vide Annexure- N. The said request came to be rejected by the Enquiry Office by issuing the endorsement dated 14.05.2026 vide Annexure-P. Hence, this writ petition. 3. Heard the arguments of learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent No.1. 4. Learned counsel for respondent No.1 submits no objection to allow the writ petition and submits that, the petitioner may be directed to cross-examine PW1 and PW5 within time bound manner. 5. Perused the records and considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 6. It is an undisputed fact that a disciplinary enquiry is initiated against the petitioner and the Management examined the witnesses PW1 and PW5, wherein the petitioner could not cross-examine PW1 and PW5. The Enquiry Officer has taken the cross-examination as nil. Though the petitioner had submitted no cross examination, later on, the petitioner made a request seeking permission to cross-examine PW1 and PW5. The Enquiry Officer rejected the request. 7. As the learned counsel for respondent No.1 submits no objection for the petitioner to cross-examine PW1 and PW5, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed; ii. The impugned endorsement dated 14.05.2026 issued by respondent No.3 is hereby quashed; iii. The petitioner is permitted to cross-examine PW1 and PW5, and the said exercise has to be - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32167 WP No. 15644 of 2026 completed within fifteen days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order; iv. Pending IA(s), if any, shall stand disposed of. Sd/- (ASHOK S.KINAGI) JUDGE PA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 19