- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412392026 NC: 2026:KHC:37377 WP No. 18825 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI WRIT PETITION NO. 18825 OF 2026 (EDN-RES) BETWEEN: SHAIK MOHIDDIN AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, S/O BARSHA, WARD NO 14, OPP. AKASH TALKIES, KUNIGAL, TUMKURU-572130 …PETITIONER (BY SMT. GAYATHRI M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. KARNATAKA STATE LAW UNIVERSITY THROUGH ITS REGISTRAR NAVA NAGAR, HUBLI-025 REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR 2. KALIDASA INSTITUTE OF LAW COLLEGE TUDA LAYOUT TUMKUR-572106 REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. SARITHA KULAKARNI, ADVOCATE FOR R1 (VK NOT FILED V/O DATED 20.07.2026, NOTICE TO R2 IS H/S) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO (A) ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER WRIT Digitally signed by KIRAN KUMAR R Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412392026 NC: 2026:KHC:37377 WP No. 18825 of 2026 DIRECTING TO INCLUDE TWO YEARS ITI COURSE IN THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EQUIVALENT TO II PUC OR 10 PLUS 2 IN ANNEXURE-A. (B) AND FURTHER BE PLEASED TO ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER WRIT DIRECTING TO FIRST RESPONDENT TO ISSUE ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE TO THE PETITIONER TO GET ADMISSION TO 5 YEARS, LLB COURSE. (C) AND FURTHER BE PLEASED TO ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER WRIT DIRECTING TO THE SECOND RESPONDENT TO ADMIT HIM TO 5 YEARS LAW DEGREE COURSE FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27, AS THE PETITIONER IS FOUND ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION, IN THE ENDS OF JUSTICE. (D) PASS ANY SUCH ORDER AND/OR DIRECTING WHICH THIS HON’BLE COURT DEEMS FIT IN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRESENT CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI ORAL ORDER The petitioner filed this writ petition seeking the following reliefs: “(a) Issue Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ directing to include two years ITI course in the eligibility criteria equivalent to II PUC or 10+2 in ANNEXURE "A" (b) And further be pleased to Issue Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ directing to first respondent to issue eligibility certificate to the petitioner to get admission to 5 years, LLB course. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412392026 NC: 2026:KHC:37377 WP No. 18825 of 2026 (c) And further be pleased to Issue Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ directing to the second respondent to admit him to 5 years law degree course for the academic year 2026/27, as the petitioner is found eligible for admission, in the ends of Justice. (d) Pass any such order and/or directing which this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the present case, in the interest of justice.” 2. Brief facts leading rise to the filing of this petition are as follows: 2.1. The petitioner has submitted an application dated 06.06.2026 to respondent No.1-University requesting to issue him eligibility certificate to the petitioner to get admission to 5 years LLB course. The said application has not been considered by respondent No.1-University. Hence, this writ petition. 3. Heard the arguments of learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent No.1- University. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412392026 NC: 2026:KHC:37377 WP No. 18825 of 2026 4. The issue involved in this case is squarely covered by the order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Mr. Abubakar Vs. Karnataka State Law University and Others1, wherein the Co- ordinate Bench has, in paragraph No.8, held as follows: “8. By bare reading of the Rules of Bar Council of India and the Regulations of the first respondent- University, it has to be held that a candidate to be eligible for admission to a three year Law Degree Course should have passed a three years degree program from a recognized University and that he should not have obtained 10+2 or graduation through an open University system. Neither the Rules nor the Regulations excludes I.T.I course in lieu of PUC or 11th and 12th standards when a student wants to get admitted to a three year Law Degree Course. When that being the situation, the first respondent-University in its notification for admission to three year Law Degree Course for the academic year 2020-21 cannot insist upon that the students should have only studied in Pre-university or 12th standard. It should consider I.T.I course for two years as equivalent to Pre- University or 12th standard. Further, the notification also does not expressly state that I.T.I is not equivalent to +2. For the said reasons, it has to be held that the 1 WP No.200642/2021, disposed of on 08.12.2021 - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412392026 NC: 2026:KHC:37377 WP No. 18825 of 2026 second respondent has committed an error in not admitting the petitioner to the course of three year LL.B Degree progamme only on the ground that he has not completed +2, but has studied I.T.I before obtaining a valid three year degree from a recognized University.” The Co-ordinate Bench has held that, the qualification of the petitioner therein is equivalent to that of ‘10+2’. I concur with the order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench. 5. In view of the above discussion, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed; ii. The respondents are directed to issue eligibility certificate to the petitioner and admit him to 5 year LLB course, within one month from today; iii. Pending IA(s), if any, shall stand disposed of. Sd/- (ASHOK S.KINAGI) JUDGE PA | List No.: 1 Sl No.: 11