- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2754 WP No. 38187 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 38187 OF 2025 (S-RES) BETWEEN: SRI MANJUNATH S S S/O SIDDAPPA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS WORKING AS CHIEF OFFICER TOWN PANCHAYATH ALUR HASSAN DISTRICT 571 167. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRINIVAS V., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REP BY ITS SECRETARY TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT VIKASA SOUDHA, BANGALORE 560001. 2. THE REGISTRAR THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA M S BUILDING, BANGALORE 560001. 3. THE ADDITIONAL REGISTRAR (ENQUIRIES-10) KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA M S BUILDING, BANGALORE 560001 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.SPOORTHY HEGDE N, HCGP FOR R1: SRI VENKATESH S ARBATTI, ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER DATED: 22.08.2025 BEARING NO. NA A E Digitally signed by MALATHI CHALUVA IYENGAR Location: HIGH COURTOF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2754 WP No. 38187 of 2025 16DMK 2018 ISSUED BY THE R1 VIDE ANNEXURE-K TO THE WP AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD ORAL ORDER At the outset, learned HCGP submits that in respect of the post of Chief Officer, which is a civil post, the petitioner has to approach the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal. 2. The grievance in respect of the ‘service matters’ cannot be a subject matter of adjudication at the hands of a writ Court, as the court of first instance, in the light of the decision of the Apex Court in the case of L.CHANDRA KUMAR vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS reported in (1997) 3 SCC 261. 3. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of, with liberty reserved to the petitioner to approach the appropriate legal forum, if law permits. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2754 WP No. 38187 of 2025 4. Registry is directed to return the original or certified copy of Annexure-K, after retaining the photocopy of the same for record purpose. Sd/- (H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE CM LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 24