- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12989-DB WP No. 6166 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF MARCH, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA WRIT PETITION NO. 6166 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: ADV.SHREYAS N S/O NAGARAJ AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, ENROLMENT NO. KAR/ 451/ 2021, NO .100, 4TH FLOOR, AGARA VILLAGE, HSR LAYOUT EXTENSION, BEHIND HANUMAN TEMPLE, BENGALURU-560102 AADHAAR 8435 1004 8751 PAN EVLPS5586M PH 7019105226 (PERSON WITH TOTAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT) …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREYAS N, (PETITIONER-IN-PERSON)) AND: 1. THE COMMISSIONER GREATER BENGALURU AUTHORITY, CORPORATION CIRCLE, N. R. SQUARE, BENGALURU, KARNATAKA Digitally signed by NIRMALA DEVI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12989-DB WP No. 6166 of 2026 2. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIKASA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560 001 3. THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, BENGALURU, KARNATAKA 4. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU- 560001 5. THE UNION OF INDIA, THROUGH ITS MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT SHASTRI BHAWAN, NEW DELHI. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA FOR R1, R2 & R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO ENSURE MANDATORY AND MEANINGFUL REPRESENTATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY PERSONS WITH BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION, IN THE GREATER BENGALURU AUTHORITY (GBA), BY PROVIDING FOR NOMINATION OR ANY OTHER LAWFUL AFFIRMATIVE MECHANISM CONSISTENT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12989-DB WP No. 6166 of 2026 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition inter alia praying as under: a) Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondents to ensure mandatory and meaningful representation of Persons with Disabilities, particularly persons with blindness and low vision, in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), by providing for nomination or any other lawful affirmative mechanism consistent with constitutional principles; b) Direct the Respondents to frame and notify appropriate rules, guidelines, or policy measures proving for inclusion of at least one qualified representative from the visually impaired community in the Greater Bengaluru Authority prior to or in conjunction with the conduct of elections; c) Direct the Respondents to conduct structured consultations with recognized disability led organizations and stakeholders, particularly organizations representing visually impaired persons, before finalizing - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12989-DB WP No. 6166 of 2026 the composition and operational framework of the Greater Benglauru authority; d) Pass such other order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the interest of justice, equity, and inclusive governance. 2. The question of the Greater Bengaluru Authority [GBA], is governed by the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024. The validity of the said enactment is not under challenge. 3. In the aforesaid view, we do not consider it apposite to issue any specific directions for nomination of persons with disability to the GBA. However, this would not preclude the petitioner from making a representation in this regard to the lawmakers. 4. The petition is accordingly dismissed. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE BS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 8