- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010591832026 NC: 2026:KHC:45897-DB WP No. 26515 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25THDAY OF AUGUST, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI AND THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU WRIT PETITION NO.26515 OF 2026 (EDN-RES) BETWEEN: VIVEKANANDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GUDIMAVU, KUMBALAGODU POST, KENGERI HOBLI, BENGALURU - 560 074, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL, REGISTRATION UNDER MYSORE REGISTRATION ACT, 1960 DR. K.M. RAVIKUMAR AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, …PETITIONER (BY SRI. AJAY N, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION, M.S. BUILDING, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE UNDER SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT HIGHER EDUCATION Digitally signed by JAI JYOTHI J Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010591832026 NC: 2026:KHC:45897-DB WP No. 26515 of 2026 DEPARTMENT (TECHNICAL EDUCATION), KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE COMMISSIONER, COLLEGIATE AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PALACE ROAD, BENGALURU - 560 001. 4. VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, “JNANA SANGAMA”, BELAGAVI - 590 018, REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR. 5. ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION, NELSON MANDELA MARG, VASANT KUNJ, NEW DELHI - 110 070, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN / MEMBER SECRETARY. 6. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KARNATAKA EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, SAMPIGE ROAD, 18TH CROSS, MALLESWARAM, BENGALURU 560 012. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. PRAMODINI KISHAN, AGA FOR R1-R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, QUASHING THE NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE BEARING No.ED 74 DTE 2026 DATED 18.06.2026 ISSUED BY - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010591832026 NC: 2026:KHC:45897-DB WP No. 26515 of 2026 RESPONDENT NO.2, TO THE EXTENT IT OMITS/DECLINES THE INCREASE IN INTAKE OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FROM 180 TO 240 SEATS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-27 VIDE ANNEXURE-A AND ETC THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI and HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned AGA appearing for respondent Nos.1, 2 and 3. 2. This petition seeks, inter alia, quashing of ‘no objection certificate’ bearing No.ED 74 DTE 2026 dated 18.06.2026 to the extent it omits / declines increase in intake of Computer Science and Engineering from 180 to 240 seats for the Academic Year 2026-27. 3. The sole submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that a representation dated 01.07.2026 has been submitted to the Principal Secretary, Department of - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010591832026 NC: 2026:KHC:45897-DB WP No. 26515 of 2026 Higher Education that is enclosed as Annexure-“F” to the writ petition which may be directed to be decided by the said Authority. 4. A memo has been filed today enclosing a photocopy of the aforesaid representation dated 01.07.2026 to evince the receipt of the representation by the concerned Authority on 01.07.2026. The memo is accepted. 5. Learned AGA states that a decision would be taken by the Authority on the representation within a week. 6. In view of the aforesaid, we direct that a reasoned decision be taken on the aforesaid representation of the petitioner, Annexure-“F” to the writ petition dated 01.07.2026, by the Principal Secretary or an official holding equivalent rank in the concerned Department, no later than a week from today. The decision shall be communicated forthwith thereafter. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010591832026 NC: 2026:KHC:45897-DB WP No. 26515 of 2026 7. Learned AGA is required to communicate this order to the concerned Secretary during the course of the day. 8. Petition is disposed of accordingly. Sd/- (JAYANT BANERJI) JUDGE Sd/- (TARA VITASTA GANJU) JUDGE KS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 1