- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.SHANTHI BHUSHAN WRIT PETITION NO. 51930 OF 2019 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. PROF. K.S. RANGAPPA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, S/O. LATE SUBBEGOWDA, (EX.VICE CHANCELLOR, DISTINGQUISHED PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE) RESIDING AT DEVI FARM, DOOR NO. 227/9, BOGADI 2ND STAGE MYSURU-570 026. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. AKKAMAHADEVI HIREMATH (NOC)) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REP BY ITS SECRETARY, REPRESENTED BY THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 3RD GATE, 6TH FLOOR, M.S. BUILDINGS, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE-560 001. 2. THE CHANCELLOR KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY, REPRESENTED BY HIS SECRETARY, Digitally signed by VASANTHA KUMARY B K Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 RAJ BHAVAN, RAJBHAVAN ROAD, BENGALURU-560 001. 3. THE VICE CHANCELLOR KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY, MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSORE-570 006. 4. KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY MUKTHA GANGOTHRI, MYSORE-570 006, REP BY ITS REGISTRAR. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. N.BYREGOWDA, AGA FOR R1; SRI. SANTOSH NAGARALE FOR R2; SRI. T.P.RAJENDRAKUMAR SUNGAY FOR R3 & R4) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO CALL FOR RELEVANT RECORDS RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF ONE MAN COMMITTEE HON'BLE JUSTICE Dr.K.BHKTVATSALA AND SET ASIDE THE REPORT OF THE ONE MAN FACT FINDING COMMITTEE DATED 14.10.2105 VIDE ANNX-D AS UNSUSTAINABLE IN LAW. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.SHANTHI BHUSHAN - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH) The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed praying for the following reliefs:- " WHEREFORE, the petitioner most respectfully prays that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to call for relevant records relating to appointment of One Man Committee Hon'ble Justice Dr. K Bhaktavatsala; and, (i) TO SET ASIDE The report of the One Man Fact Finding Committee dated 14.10.2015 vide Annexure-D as unsustainable in law or in the alternative (ii) DECLARE the One Man Fact Finding Committee report dated 14.10.2015 vide Annexure-D, has spent itself and would not be available for the respondent authorities so as to initiate punitive action against the petitioner and also in view of submission of the Audit Report dated 5.4.2016 vide Annexure-F and to declare accordingly in the interest of justice, (iii) ISSUE any other incidental or consequential relief/s as deemed fit in the facts and circumstances of the - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 case and in aid of the main relief sought for, in the interest of justice and equity." 2. The Higher Education Department of the State Government had sent a proposal requesting His Excellency, the Governor to constitute an Inquiry Committee to inquire into certain allegations against the Karnataka State Open Universities (for short 'the KSOU'). In pursuance to said request, His Excellency the Governor and the Chancellor of Universities constituted One Member Committee to inquire into the allegations in respect of the KSOU and submit its report. Dr. K Bhakthavatsala, former judge of this Court was appointed as the One Man Fact Finding Committee. The One Man Fact Finding Committee submitted its report on 14.10.2015, in pursuance to the Notification dated 13.05.2015 issued by the Governor's Office appointing One Man Fact Finding Committee to inquire into the allegations. 3. The allegations for which the One Man Fact Finding Committee was constituted are as under:- 1. Marks card scandal - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 2. Appointment of 21 temporary Regional Directors and causing illegal additional expenditure to the University to the tune of Rs.2 Crores per annum. 3. Illegal regularization of 28 temporary Assistant Professors. 4. Mass copying incidence. 5. Shashikumar, Electrician being illegally promoted to Junior Engineer. 6. B. Sadashiva, Non-teaching staff, Water Supply Operator is promoted illegally as Junior Engineer-Civil. 4. The Committee after issuing notice to then Vice Chancellor, the petitioner herein, conducted the inquiry. A detailed report on each allegation has been submitted, which forms part of the petition. The petitioner has challenged the report. We find the challenge to the report not maintainable, as only the action taken in pursuance to the report can be subject matter of challenge and not the report itself. - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010528122019 NC: 2026:KHC:46920-DB WP No. 51930 of 2019 5. We therefore, find no substance in this petition and hold that petition is wholly misconceived. Therefore, we dismiss the writ petition. 6. Pending I.A.(s) if any, stand disposed of. SD/- (D K SINGH) JUDGE SD/- (H.SHANTHI BHUSHAN) JUDGE NG CT:SN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 23