The Registrar Vs Sri Nagaraja S — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

The Registrar Vs Sri Nagaraja S — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ Appeals in W.A.No.1330/2025, W.A.No.1009/2025 and W.A.No.1373/2025 allowed; common order dated 03.04.2025 of the Writ Court in W.P.No.10465/2023 set aside and the writ petition of Mr.Nagaraja.S dismissed (selection of Dr.Kusuma Shamanur sustained); W.A.No.1021/2025 (challenge to show-cause notice/disciplinary proceedings) dismissed, the inquiry to proceed in accordance with law; pending interlocutory applications disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether marks for the Bachelor's Degree could be awarded to Mr.Nagaraja.S, who admittedly did not submit his Bachelor's Degree and marks sheet along with his application by the last date (23.02.2019), notwithstanding Clause-19 of the Notification dated 24.01.2019 barring consideration of later-submitted documents. +2 more

Court's answer

The approach of the Writ Court was incorrect because the Notification specifically provided that no documents/certificates/marks sheets were to be submitted after the last date of submission of the application, and Clause-19 further provides that no marks shall be awarded in respect of any document not submitted along with the application on or before the last date prescribed for filing the application; admittedly Mr.Nagaraja.S did not produce the Bachelor's Decree Certificate with the application or even on the last date, and therefore was not awarded any mark out of the maximum '10' marks provided for the Bachelor's Degree.

Ratio / Principle

When the recruitment process clearly delineated the method of assessment, the Writ Court could not have substituted another method; the Writ Court virtually undertook to substitute the method of assessment of marks regarding academic qualification, which cannot be countenanced.

Key takeaways

The appeals in W.A.No.1330/2025, W.A.No.1009/2025 and W.A.No.1373/2025 are allowed, the impugned order passed by the Writ Court in W.P.No.10465/2023 is set aside, and consequently the writ petition filed by Mr.Nagaraja.S is dismissed; the selection of Dr.Kusuma Shamanur, who secured the highest marks (66.425) and joined service, therefore stands.ratio¶¶125
So far as W.A.No.1021/2025 filed by Dr.Kusuma Shamanur against the order in W.P.No.15646/2024 is concerned, the writ petition (challenging the show-cause notice) stands dismissed, inasmuch as she has already filed a reply to the show-cause notice and an inquiry officer has been appointed for conducting the inquiry in accordance with law; accordingly W.A.No.1021/2025 is dismissed.ratio¶¶129

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Service law — Recruitment — Assistant Professor (Physical Education), University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences / Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University, Shivamogga — Notification dated 24.01.2019, Clause-19 — documents/certificates submitted after the last date (23.02.2019) not to be considered for award of marks — candidate who did not produce Bachelor's Degree with the application rightly awarded '0' of '10' marks — writ court cannot substitute its own method of assessment of academic qualification where the recruitment process delineated one — Division Bench allowed the University's appeals (WA Nos. 1330, 1009 and 1373 of 2025) and set aside the Single Judge's common order dated 03.04.2025 in W.P.No.10465/2023 which had directed reconsideration of Mr.Nagaraja.S's Bachelor's Decree in Arts and reassessment of inter se merit; writ petition dismissed and selection of Dr.Kusuma Shamanur (highest marks 66.425) upheld — Dr.Kusuma Shamanur's appeal (WA No. 1021/2025) against disciplinary show-cause notice dismissed, she having filed her reply and an inquiry officer having been appointed to conduct the inquiry in accordance with law.

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NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF JULY, 2026

PRESENT

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH

AND

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF WRIT APPEAL NO. 1330 OF 2025 (S-RES)

C/W

WRIT APPEAL NO. 1009 OF 2025 (S-RES) WRIT APPEAL NO. 1021 OF 2025 (S-RES) WRIT APPEAL NO. 1373 OF 2025 (S-RES)

IN WA No. 1330/2025

BETWEEN:

THE REGISTRAR, REGISTRAR UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE, UAHS, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 204.

Digitally signed by REKHA R Location: High Court of Karnataka

ALSO AT: THE REGISTRAR, KELADI SHIVAPPA NAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE, SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK, 2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI SAGARA TALUK, SHIVMOGGA DISTRICT- 577 412.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KELADI SHIVAPPA NAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

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NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

SHIVAMOGGA, 2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI SAGARA TALUK, SHIVMOGGA DISTRICT- 577412

…APPELLANTS

(BY SRI. THYAGARAJA S., ADVOCATE)

AND:

SRI.NAGARAJA S., S/O SHANMUKHA S.S. AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, RESIDING AT NAVEEN NILAYA, R.M.L. NAGARA, 1^ST MAIN ROAD, 18^TH CROSS, BESIDES A1 MOHAMMED SCHOOL SHIVAMOGGA - 577 205.

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION, M.S BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001.

DR. KUSUMA SHAMANOOR, D/O CHANDRAPPA M SHAMANOOR, CHALAGERI POST, RANEBBENNUR TALUK, HAVERI DISTRICT - 581 145

ALSO AT DR. KUSUMA SHAMANOOR, SPECIAL OFFICER, AGRICULTURE COLLEGE IRUVAKKI-SAGARA TALUK, SHIMOGA DISTRICT - 577 412

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. RAVINDRANATH, AGA FOR R2, SRI. T.S. VENKATESH, ADVOCATE FOR R1, SRI. K.S. PONNAPPA, ADVOCATE FOR R3)

3 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT, 1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:03.04.2025 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE SINGLE JUDGE IN WP NO.10465/2023 AND CONSEQUENTLY DISMISSED THE WRIT PETITION WITH EXEMPLARY COSTS AND ETC.,

IN WA NO. 1009/2025

BETWEEN:

DR. KUSUMASHAMNOOR, D/O CHANDRAPPA M. SHAMNOOR, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, CHALAGERI POST, RANEBENNUR TALUK, HAVERI DISTRICT - 581 145, ALSO AT AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, SPECIAL OFFICER, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 412.

...APPELLANT

(BY SRI. K.S PONNAPPA., ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KELADISHIVAPPANAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGA - 577 412.

THE REGISTRAR, UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES, UAHS, SHIVAMOGA - 577 204

ALSO AT : THE REGISTRAR, KELADISHIVAPPANAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL

4 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

SCIENCES, SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 412.

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION, M.S BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001.

SRI. NAGARAJA S., S/O SRI. SHANMUKHA S.S., AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, R/A AT NAVEEN NILAYA, R.M.L NAGARA, 1^ST MAIN ROAD, 18^TH CROSS, BESIDES A1 MOHAMMED SCHOOL, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 205.

...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. B. RAVINDRANATH, AGA FOR R3, SRI. T.S. VENKATESH, ADVOCATE FOR R1)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT, 1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:03.04.2025 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE SINGLE JUDGE IN WP No.10465/2023 AND GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEF AS THIS HON'BLE COURT MAY DEEM FIT TO GRANT IN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE.

IN WA NO. 1021/2025

BETWEEN:

DR. KUSUMA SHAMNOOR, D/O CHANDRAPPA M. SHAMNOOR, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS,

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HC-KAR

CHALAGERI POST, RANEBENNUR TALUK, HAVERI DISTRICT - 581 145. ALSO AT SPECIAL OFFICER, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 412.

...APPELLANT

(BY SRI. K.S. PONNAPPA, ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION, M.S BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001.

THE REGISTRAR, UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES, UAHS, SHIVAMOGA - 577 204, ALSO AT : THE REGISTRAR,

KELADISHIVAPPANAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, SHIVAMOGGA SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 412.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KELADISHIVAPPANAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVAMOGA - 577 412.

6 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

SRI. NAGARAJA S., S/O SRI. SHANMUKHA S.S., AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, R/A AT NAVEEN NILAYA, R.M.L NAGARA, 1^ST MAIN ROAD, 18^TH CROSS, BESIDES A1 MOHAMMED SCHOOL, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 205.

...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. B. RAVINDRANTH, AGA FOR R1, SRI. T.S. VENKATESH, ADVOCATE FOR R4, SRI. THYAGARAJ S. ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R3)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT, 1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:03.04.2025 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE SINGLE JUDGE IN W.P No.10465 OF 2023 C/W W.P. No.15646 OF 2024 AND QUASH THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY THE RESPONDENT No. 1 UNDER RULE 11 OF THE KARNATAKA CIVIL SERVICES (CLASSIFICATION, CONTROL AND APPEAL) RULES, 1957 AND ETC.,

IN WA NO. 1373/2025

BETWEEN:

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KELADI SHIVAPPA NAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL

AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE SHIVAMOGGA - 577 412.

THE REGISTRAR, KELADI SHIVAPPA NAYAKA UNIVERSITY OF AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE SHIVAMOGGA, SHARAVATHI ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK,

7 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

2^ND FLOOR, IRUVAKKI, SAGARA TALUK, SHIVMOGGA DISTRICT- 577 412.

...APPELLANTS

(BY SRI. THYAGARAJA S., ADVOCATE)

AND:

DR. KUSUMA SHAMANOOR, D/O CHANDRAPPA M. SHAMANOOR, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, CHALAGERI POST, RANEBBENNUR TALUK, HAVERI DISTRICT - 581 145. ALSO AT: SPECIAL OFFICER, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, IRUVAKKI-SAGARA TALUK, SHIMOGA DISTRICT - 577 412.

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNEMNT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION, M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001.

SRI. NAGARAJA S S/O SHANMUKHA S.S. AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, RESIDING AT NAVEEN NILAYA, R.M.L. NAGARA, 1^ST MAIN ROAD,18^TH CROSS, BESIDES A1 MOHAMMED SCHOOL, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 205.

...RESPONDENTS

8 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

(BY SRI. B. RAVINDRANATH, AGA FOR R2, SRI. T.S. VENKATESH, ADVOCATE FOR R3, SRI. K.S. PONNNAPA, ADVOCATE FOR R1)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT,1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:03.04.2025 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE SINGLE JUDGE IN WP NO.15646/2024 CONSEQUENTLY DISMISS THE WRIT PETITION WITH EXEMPLARY COST AND GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEF.

THESE APPEALS ARE COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF

ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH)

The present intra-Court appeals have been filed impugning the common order dated 03.04.2025 passed by the Writ Court in W.P.No.10465/2023 C/w. W.P.No.15646/2024.

W.P.No.10465/2023 was filed by respondent No.1 in W.A.No.1330/2025 and W.P.No.15646/2024 was filed by Dr.Kusuma Shamanur - appellant in W.A.No.1009/2025 and W.A.No.1021/2025.

9 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

Dr.Kusuma Shamanur, filed the Writ Petition

against some show-cause notice issued to her to initiate inquiry on the complaint of Sri.Nagaraja.S.

The issue relates to selection and recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor of Physical Education in the appellantUniversity. For making selection and recruitment, a Notification dated 24.01.2019 was issued by the appellant-University inviting applications in prescribed form from the eligible candidates for filling up the posts of Assistant Professor, inter-alia, in Physical Education. The last date for submitting the application in all respect was 23.02.2019.

Clause-19 of the said Notification is specifically provided as under:

"The applications received after the last date, incomplete applications, and without payment of prescribed fees are liable to be rejected. Any additional document/ certificate/ records given after the last date for submission of a filled application will not be considered for award of marks."

10 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 AND 1 OTHER

HC-KAR

The selection was to be made on the basis of

academic qualifications and interview. The maximum marks provided for Bachelor's Degree were '10' marks. Thus, a candidate was required to produce Bachelor's Degree along with marks sheet at the time of filing of the application on or before the last date of filing of the application i.e., 23.02.2019.

The respondent/ petitioner Mr.Nagaraja.S, admittedly didn't submit his Bachelor's Degree and marks sheet along with the application submitted by him for the post of Assistant Professor in Physical Education. As he did not submit the Bachelor's Degree and marks sheet, against maximum of '10' marks in respect of Bachelor's Degree, he was awarded '0' (Zero) marks and from educational qualifications combined with interview marks, he could secure 64.330 marks, whereas, Dr.Kusuma Shamanur - appellant in W.A.No.1009/2025 and W.A.No.1021/2025 secured highest marks i.e., 66.425. In altogether, there were five candidates. Three other

11 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 HC-KAR AND 1 OTHER

candidates were, Mr.Khalid Bashir Khan secured 66.060, Ms.Thangarani secured 64.900 and Ms.Vibharani M.Nivargi secured 66.095 marks.

Dr.Kusuma Shamanur has secured highest marks i.e., 66.425, she was declared as 'Selected Candidate' for the post of Assistant Professor in Physical Education in the appellant University and she had joined

the services and continuing on the said post after her selection.

The respondent - Nagaraja.S, filed Writ Petition challenging the selection of Dr.Kusuma Shamanur. The Writ Court vide impugned judgment and order has held that, Mr.Nagaraja.S had the Bachelor Degree, Master Degree and Doctorate in Physical Education, as well as possessed Graduation Degree in Sociology. A copy of the Bachelor's Decree in Arts possessed by Mr.Nagaraja.S, was also placed on record before the Writ Court. The Writ Court therefore, held that, if the marks were to be given

12 - NC: 2026:KHC:33628-DB WA No. 1330 of 2025 C/W WA No. 1009 of 2025 WA No. 1021 of 2025 HC-KAR AND 1 OTHER

for Bachelor's Degree to Mr.Nagaraja.S, he would outweigh the selected candidate Dr.Kusuma Shamanur. The Writ Court therefore, directed to reconsider the Bachelor's Decree of Arts of Mr.Nagaraja.S and reassess the inter se merit of Mr.Nagaraja.S and Dr.Kusuma Shamanur.

We find the approach of the Writ Court incorrect inasmuch as, the Notification specifically provided that no documents/ certificate/ marks sheet should be submitted after last date of submission of the application. Clause-19 as noted above, further provides that, no marks shall be awarded in respect of any document that is not submitted along with the application on or before the last date prescribed for filing the application.

11. Admittedly, respondent - Mr.Nagaraja.S did not

produce the Bachelor's Decree Certificate along with the application or even on the last date of submission of the

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application. Therefore, he was not awarded any mark, out

of maximum '10' marks provided for Bachelor's Degree.

When the recruitment process clearly delineated the method of assessment, the Writ Court could not have substituted another method. The Writ Court has virtually undertaken to substitute the method of assessment of marks regarding academic qualification, which cannot be countenanced. We therefore, allow the appeals in W.A.No.1330/2025, W.A.No.1009/2025 and

W.A.No.1373/2025 and set-aside the impugned order passed by the Writ Court in W.P.No.10465/2023. Resultantly, dismiss the Writ Petition filed by Mr.Nagaraja.S.

So far as W.A.No.1021/2025 filed by Dr.Kusuma Shamanur against the order passed in W.P.No.15646/2024 is concerned, we make it clear that

the Writ Petition stands dismissed as per the order above, inasmuch as the said Writ Petition was filed against the

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show-cause notice, to which she has already filed reply and inquiry officer has been appointed for conducting the inquiry in accordance with the law. Accordingly, W.A.No.1021/2025 is dismissed .

In view of disposal of these Writ Appeals, pending interlocutory applications, if any, stand disposed of.

Sd/(D K SINGH) JUDGE

Sd/(T.M.NADAF) JUDGE

TKN

List No.: 1 Sl No.: 9

Issues for consideration

3 issues framed by the court

AI extract

1.
Whether marks for the Bachelor's Degree could be awarded to Mr.Nagaraja.S, who admittedly did not submit his Bachelor's Degree and marks sheet along with his application by the last date (23.02.2019), notwithstanding Clause-19 of the Notification dated 24.01.2019 barring consideration of later-submitted documents.¶¶109
The court held
The approach of the Writ Court was incorrect because the Notification specifically provided that no documents/certificates/marks sheets were to be submitted after the last date of submission of the application, and Clause-19 further provides that no marks shall be awarded in respect of any document not submitted along with the application on or before the last date prescribed for filing the application; admittedly Mr.Nagaraja.S did not produce the Bachelor's Decree Certificate with the application or even on the last date, and therefore was not awarded any mark out of the maximum '10' marks provided for the Bachelor's Degree.ratio¶¶118
2.
Whether the Writ Court could direct reconsideration and reassessment by substituting its own method of assessment of academic qualification marks where the recruitment process had clearly delineated the method of assessment.¶¶124
The court held
When the recruitment process clearly delineated the method of assessment, the Writ Court could not have substituted another method; the Writ Court virtually undertook to substitute the method of assessment of marks regarding academic qualification, which cannot be countenanced.ratio¶¶124
3.
Whether the disciplinary proceedings sought to be initiated against Dr.Kusuma Shamanur on the basis of a show-cause notice issued on the complaint of Sri.Nagaraja.S were liable to be quashed.medium confidence¶¶102
The court held
So far as W.A.No.1021/2025 filed by Dr.Kusuma Shamanur against the order in W.P.No.15646/2024 is concerned, the writ petition (challenging the show-cause notice) stands dismissed, inasmuch as she has already filed a reply to the show-cause notice and an inquiry officer has been appointed for conducting the inquiry in accordance with law; accordingly W.A.No.1021/2025 is dismissed.ratio¶¶129