- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI AND THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU WRIT PETITION NO. 25792 OF 2026 (EDN-RES) BETWEEN: DR.AMBEDKAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BDA OUTER RING ROAD, NEAR JNANA BHARATHI CAMPUS, MALLATHAHALLI, BENGALURU-560 056, KARNATAKA. REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL, DR. MAHALINGA.V.MANDI. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VIKRAM HULIGOL., SENIOR COUNSEL FOR SRI. S.B.MATHAPATI., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY, VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION (TECHNICAL EDUCATION SECTION), BY ITS ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY / PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, M.S.BUILDING, DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. Digitally signed by SUMATHY KANNAN Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 3. KARNATAKA STATE HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL, BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NO.30, PRASANNA KUMAR BLOCK, Y.RAMACHANDRA ROAD, GANDHINAGAR, BENGALURU - 560 009. 4. VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, BY ITS REGISTRAR, “JNANA SANGAMA”, BELAGAVI-590 018. 5. ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION, A STATUTORY BODY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY, NELSON MANDELA MARG, VASANT KUNJ, NEW DELHI - 110 070. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. PRATHIBA.R.K., AGA FOR R1 TO R3; SRI. ABHISHEK KUMAR., ADVOCATE FOR R4; SRI. H.R.SHOWRI., ADVOCATE FOR R5) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI, OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, QUASHING AND SETTING ASIDE THE ORDER BEARING NO.ED 42 TEC 2026 DATED 02/05/2026 ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.2 AT ANNEXURE-P, INSOFAR AS THE SAME IS SOUGHT TO BE APPLIED TO CURTAIL OR DENY EFFECT TO THE INTAKE OF 360 SEATS SANCTIONED TO THE PETITIONER COLLEGES COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BY RESPONDENT NO.4, AICTE & ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI & HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI) The petitioner seeks to assail the Government Order dated 02.05.2026, issued by the respondent No.2, insofar as it seeks to curtail or deny effect to the intake of 360 seats, sanctioned to the Petitioner College's Computer Science and Engineering Programme by respondent No.4, AICTE. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to a representation dated 29.06.2026, which is enclosed as Annexure-T to the writ petition, to contend that the same may be decided by the respondents. 3. The learned counsel has also referred to an order dated 12.08.2026, passed by this Court in Writ Petition No.23085 of 2026 c/w. 22339 of 2026, by which this Court directed the Principal Secretary to take a decision on the representations, in accordance with law. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 4. We have perused the order dated 12.08.2026 passed by this Court. It reads as follows: “A common affidavit in WP.No.23085/2026 (EDN-RES) and WP.No.24949/2026 (EDN-RES), WP.No.22339/2026 (EDN-RES), WP.No.24365/2026 (EDN-RES), has been filed today in Court by the learned Additional Government Advocate, which is taken on record. It also reflects that various representations have been filed by the petitioners in the aforementioned writ petitions. In paragraph No.2 of this common affidavit, it is stated as follows: "2. I state that in view of the representations dated 03.06.2026 with regard to petitioner in W.P.No.24365/2026, 03.06.2026 with regard to petitioner in W.P.No.24949/2026, 08.06.2026 with regard to petitioner in W.P.No.22339/2026, 01.07.2026 with regard to petitioner in W.P.No.23085/2026, to include the seats as per the AICTE approval process for the academic year 2026- 27, it is respectfully submitted that their representations shall be reconsidered in accordance with law. The copies of the above representations are produced herewith and marked as DOCUMENT NO.1 TO 4." 2. Learned Additional Government Advocate, appearing for the respondents states that a decision would be taken on or before 17.08.2026, in case this Court so directs. 3. We have perused the affidavit. It is sworned by Thulasi Maddineni, IAS, presently serving as Secretary, Higher Education Department, M.S.Building, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Veedi, Bengaluru. 4. The representations are enclosed as Document Nos.1 to 4. They are addressed respectively to: i. The Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 ii. The Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Department of Higher Education (Technical), iii. The Principal Secretary Department of Higher Education iv. The Under Secretary, Department of Higher Education, (Technical Education). 5. Learned Additional Government Advocate, states that the Competent Authority would take a decision in the matter. 6. We therefore, direct the Principal Secretary or the person holding equivalent rank (respondent No.2), in the Government of Karnataka, Department of Higher Education (Technical Education Section), to take a decision on the aforesaid representations marked as Document Nos.1 to 4 in the common affidavit filed today, in accordance with law, no later than 17.08.2026. These writ petitions are disposed of accordingly.” 5. In view of the aforesaid, prima facie, we do not see any reason why the petitioner herein should be treated any different from the other petitioners in Writ Petition No.23085 of 2026 and other petitions. 6. The instant petition therefore, is disposed of directing the Principal Secretary, or the Officer holding equivalent rank (respondent No. 2), in the Government of Karnataka, Department of Higher Education (Technical - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010570982026 NC: 2026:KHC:44317-DB WP No. 25792 of 2026 Education Section) to take a decision on the aforesaid representation dated 29.06.2026, expeditiously and preferably before 24.08.2026. 7. Learned AGA is directed to communicate the order forthwith, to the Principal Secretary or the person holding equivalent rank as aforesaid. This petition is accordingly disposed of. Sd/- (JAYANT BANERJI) JUDGE Sd/- (TARA VITASTA GANJU) JUDGE JJ List No.: 2 Sl No.: 1