- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15727 WP No. 39288 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR WRIT PETITION NO. 39288 OF 2025 (S-RES) BETWEEN: 1. MUNICHIKKAIAH S/O. LATE NARASHIMHAIAH, PDO, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS K. GOLLAHALLI VILLAGE PANCHAYATH, BENGALURU SOUTH TALUK. PRESENT ADDRESS K.G.LAKKENAHALLI, LAKSHMIPURA POST, DASANPURA HOBLI, BENGALURU SOUTH TALUK 560 046. &PETITIONER (BY SRI. ABHISHEK K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA OFFICE OF THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE-560001. 2. ADDITIONAL REGISTRAR OF ENQUIRY-IV LOKAYUKTA OFFICE LOKAYUKTA, BENGALURU. M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE-560001. 3. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY M.S.BUILDING BANGALORE-560001. Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15727 WP No. 39288 of 2025 4. K.GOLLAHALLI GRAMA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, BENGALURU SOUTH, BENGALURU - 562162. 5. ZILLA PANCHAYAT REPRESENTED BY ITS DEPUTY SECRETARY, BENGALURU URBAN-560 001. &RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SPOORTHY HEGDE, A.G.A. FOR R1 & R3; SRI. VENKATESH S. ARABATTI, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. K.M.PRAKASH, ADVOCATE FOR R4 & R5) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN NATURE OF CERTIORARI AND QUASH THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS IN NO.UPLOK- 1/DE/31/2023/ARE-4 CONDUCTED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2 AGAINST THE PETITIONER HEREIN AS PER ANNEXURE-A DATED 27.02.2023, AND CONSEQUENTLY QUASH THE ARTICLES OF CHARGE ISSUED BY THE RESPONDENT NO 2 IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15727 WP No. 39288 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR ORAL ORDER In this petition, the petitioner seeks the following reliefs: "a. Issue writ in nature of certiorari and quash the Disciplinary proceedings in No.UPLOK- 1/DE/31/2023/ARE-4 conducted by the Respondent No.2 against the PETITIONER herein as per ANNEXURE-A dated 27.02.2023 and consequently quash the articles of charges issued by the Respondent No.2 in the interest of justice and equity. b. Pass such other order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem just and proper in the interest of justice and equity." 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respective respondents and perused the material on record. 3. A perusal of the material on record will indicate that the petitioner was working as a Panchayat Development Officer in respondent Nos.4 and 5. When the Departmental Enquiry was initiated against him by the parental department, which culminated in his exoneration, vide order dated 04.12.2024 produced as Annexure-B to the petition, by a retired District Judge. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15727 WP No. 39288 of 2025 4. It is the grievance of the petitioner that despite his exoneration in the Department Enquiry, respondent No.2- Additional Registrar of Enquiry-IV, Lokayukta, to whom enquiry was entrusted, is proceeding further in the matter and as such, the petitioner is before this Court by way of the present petition. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for respondent No.2- Additional Registrar of Enquiry-IV, Lokayukta submits that if the petitioner appears before respondent No.2 and submits all documents including the enquiry report at Annexure-B dated 04.12.2024 exonerating the petitioner from the charges levelled against him, respondent No.2 would proceed to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. 6. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, I deemed it just and appropriate to dispose of this petition directing the petitioner to appear before respondent No.2- Additional Registrar of Enquiry-IV, Lokayukta and produce all documents including Annexure-B dated 04.12.2024 and seek discharge from the said proceedings. Upon the petitioner appearing before him on 06.04.2026 and producing relevant - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15727 WP No. 39288 of 2025 documents, pleadings etc., respondent No.2 shall pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of one month from 06.04.2026. Respondent Nos.1 and 3 are directed to take cognizance of the enquiry report submitted on behalf of respondent Nos.4 and 5 and proceed further in the matter immediately without any delay. Subject to the aforesaid directions, the petition is disposed of. Sd/- (S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE VM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 37