- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412152026 NC: 2026:KHC:38572 WP No. 18756 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 18756 OF 2026 (GM-CC) BETWEEN: DR. CHANDRASHEKARAYYA SALIMATH S/O. KOTRABASAYYA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, MEDICAL OFFICER (AYURVEDA) R/O GURUKOTTURESHWAR NILAYA HONNALI, KOTE 2ND CROSS, HONNALI TOWN, HONNALI TALUK -577217 DAVANGERE DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. HEGDE RAMANATH GANAPATI.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE M.S. BUILDING BENGALURU - 560001. 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAVANAGERE DISTRICT DAVANAGERE-577127 3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER HONNALI SUB DIVISION, HONNALI DAVANAGERE-577127 4. THE TAHASILDAR, HONNALI HONALLI TALUK - 577217 DAVANGERE DISTRICT. …RESPONDENTS Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412152026 NC: 2026:KHC:38572 WP No. 18756 of 2026 (V/O/D 20.7.2026, SRI. C. JAGADISH., ADVOCATE FOR R1 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS, QUASH THE ORDERS UNDER ANNEXURE- Q BEARING NO JATI/C.R.51/2025-2026 DATED 06-11- 2025 PASSED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR FINAL HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: i. Call for records and proceedings, quash the orders under Annexure-Q bearing No. Jati/C.R.51/2025- 2026 dated 06.11.2025 passed by the 2nd Respondent. ii. Annexure-M bearing No. Sakal.CR:5/2024-25 dated 27.01.2025 passed by the 3rd Respondent. iii. Annexure-L bearing No. RD TAHHNL-SAKL/22/2025 dated: 09.07.2025 passed by the 4th Respondent, by issue of a writ of certiorari, such other writ, or order as in the circumstances this Hon’ble Court deems fit and direct the 4th respondent by the issue of a Writ of Mandamus to issue caste certificate to the petitioner as belonging to Beda Jangam Schedule caste in the interest of justice and allow the writ petition with cost. 2. The short grievance of the petitioner is that, in the Revision Petition filed under Section 4F of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412152026 NC: 2026:KHC:38572 WP No. 18756 of 2026 (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the petitioner has been denied a reasonable opportunity of hearing. 3. It is submitted that when the matter was listed on 23.10.2025, the Tahsildar filed his statement of objections along with a report. However, a copy of the said report was not furnished to the petitioner. Immediately thereafter, the matter was adjourned for orders without fixing any further date of hearing, and the impugned order came to be passed on 06.11.2025 at Annexure-Q, even though the petitioner was present on 23.10.2025. 4. A perusal of the said order would indicate that the petitioner had not been given adequate opportunity of being heard, after having been furnished with copy of the Objections/Report filed by Tahsildar. 5. In that view of the matter, the principle of natural justice is being violated. This Court is of the considered opinion that the impugned order would have to be set aside, matter remanded to the stage that it was before the Deputy Commissioner as on 23.10.2025, directing the Tahsildar to furnish a copy of the objection/report to the petitioner and directing the Deputy Commissioner to provide an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner before passing orders. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010412152026 NC: 2026:KHC:38572 WP No. 18756 of 2026 6. In that view of the matter, this Court passes the following; ORDER i. The writ petition is partly allowed. ii. Order dated 06.11.2026 bearing No.Jati/C.R.51/2025-2026 passed by respondent No.2 at Annexure-Q is set aside. iii. The matter is remitted to respondent No.2 from the stage at which it was on 23.10.2025. iv. Since order is passed in the presence of the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner shall appear before respondent No.2 without requirement of any notice on 03.08.2026 at 02.30 p.m. v. The petitioner shall be provided with a copy of the Objection/Report filed by Tahsildar and the matter be taken up for hearing by providing the petitioner an accommodation of ten days to get ready and make his submission. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE SR, List No.: 1 Sl No.: 54