- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3644 WP No. 30480 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 30480 OF 2025 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: DR. H. S. NISHKHAL GOWDA D/O. DR. H. C. SATHYAN, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 433, VISHWAMANAVA DOUBLE ROAD, KUVEMPUNAGAR, MYSURU - 570 023. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRITHVEESH M K.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, M. S. BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU 560 001. Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3644 WP No. 30480 of 2025 2. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED FOR APPOINTMENT OF STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE SEARCH COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED FOR APPOINTMENT OF STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, M. S. BUILDING, BENGALURU 560 001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.SARITHA KULKARNI., AGA FOR R1 TO R3) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OR ORDER QUASHING THE SHORTLISTING PROCESS ADOPTED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT-COMMITTEE IN ITS PROCEEDINGS DATED 25/08/2025) (ANNEXURE-G), IN SO FAR AS IT PRESCRIBES AND APPLIES AN ARBITRARY MINIMUM EXPERIENCE OF 10-15 YEARS CRITERION FOR SHORTLISTING CANDIDATES FOR SELECTION TO THE POST OF STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER; ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE 3RD RESPONDENT-COMMITTEE TO RECONSIDER THE CANDIDATURE OF THE PETITIONER FOR SELECTION TO THE POST OF STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER, WITHOUT APPLYING THE MINIMUM EXPERIENCE OF 10-15 YEARS CRITERION AND CONSEQUENTLY DIRECT THE 2ND - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3644 WP No. 30480 of 2025 RESPONDENT-COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE POST OF STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD ORAL ORDER Sri Prithveesh M K, the learned counsel for the petitioner, who is called upon to respond in the light of this Court's previous order dated 05.01.2026 which reads as under: "Ms. Saritha Kulkarni, the learned Additional Government Advocate, submits that unless applications are filed to implead the concerned and challenge the appointment, the petition is rendered infructuous. Ms. Apoorva, the learned counsel who appears for the petitioner, submits that another opportunity may be extended to her chambers to secure instructions and file applications. On perusal of this Court's previous orders, the office is directed to re-list this petition on 22.01.2026 observing that this - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3644 WP No. 30480 of 2025 petition could be disposed of on such day as having become infructuous." submits that the petition is rendered infructuous. The submission is taken on record, and the petition stands disposed of accordingly. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE AN/-