Service law — regularization of guest/part-time lecturers (Karnataka HC, Dharwad Bench; Pradeep Singh Yerur J; 04-07-2025; WP No. 101769 of 2025 (S-REG); NC: 2025:KHC-D:8418). Five guest lecturers, each aged 57 and serving in Government First Grade Colleges under the Department of Collegiate Education, claimed about 30 years of service as part-time and guest lecturers since 1994. They sought a mandamus directing Respondent No.2 (Commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education) to regularize their service as Assistant Professors on consideration of their representation dated 26/10/2024 (Annexure-D) and to grant pecuniary and retiral benefits counting service from 1994. They pleaded parity: Respondent No.1's regularization notification covered part-time lecturers with two years' service during 1993-1995, excluding the petitioners who began in 1994, while the Karnataka State Civil Services (Absorption of Persons working as part-time lecturers in the Karnataka Education Department Services (Department of Collegiate Education)) (Special) Rules, 1996 provided absorption of part-time lecturers with a minimum of two years' service. Counsel invoked the guidelines in Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Umadevi, (2006) 4 SCC 1 (over ten years' continuous service in a clear, vacant, sanctioned post). The learned HCGP for Respondent Nos.1-2 stated the petitioners were not entitled to regularization but their representation would be considered under existing rules. Held: the representation requires to be considered in accordance with law; petition allowed; Respondent No.2 directed to consider the representation dated 26.10.2024 (Annexure-D) and pass suitable orders in accordance with law within two months. The Court did not adjudicate entitlement to regularization on merits.
