Sri Puttaswamy Vs the Secretary — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Sri Puttaswamy Vs the Secretary — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

All three writ appeals (W.A.Nos.265/2025, 268/2025 and 271/2025) dismissed as rendered infructuous in view of the coordinate bench's order dated 26.03.2026 in W.A.No.35/2025; the respondent Management directed to comply with the order in W.A.No.35/2025 (Rs.7,00,000/- towards salary and other benefits with interest @ 6% per annum within 2 months, default interest @ 12% per annum).

Issue for consideration

Whether, in view of the coordinate bench's order dated 26.03.2026 in W.A.No.35/2025 (partly allowing the Management's appeal and modifying the monetary direction), W.A.No.268/2025 challenging the order in W.P.No.10811/2012 survives for consideration. +1 more

Court's answer

In view of the coordinate bench's order dated 26.03.2026 in W.A.No.35/2025 (allowing the Management's appeal in part and modifying the direction to payment of Rs.7,00,000/- with interest), W.A.No.268/2025 challenging the order in W.P.No.10811/2012 does not survive for consideration and is rendered infructuous.

Ratio / Principle

Since a quietus has been given by directing the Management to pay Rs.7,00,000/- with interest in a time-bound manner towards salary and other benefits the employee would have earned, nothing survives to consider in the other two appeals filed by the employee; accordingly all the writ appeals are dismissed as rendered infructuous in view of the order dated 26.03.2026 passed in W.A.No.35/2025.

Key takeaways

The respondent Management (Grama Vidhyodhaya Sangha) is directed to comply with the order passed in W.A.No.35/2025 (i.e., payment of Rs.7,00,000/- towards salary and other benefits with interest @ 6% per annum within 2 months, with default interest @ 12% per annum).ratio¶90

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Division Bench (per T.M. Nadaf, J.; D K Singh, J. concurring on Bench) of the High Court of Karnataka dismisses as infructuous W.A.Nos.265, 268 and 271 of 2025 (S-RES), all filed under Section 4 of the Karnataka High Court Act, 1961 by Puttaswamy, an Assistant Master who was the unsuccessful petitioner in W.P.Nos.28495/2014 and 57103/2014 and respondent No.1 in the Management's W.P.No.10811/2012. Background: the Educational Appellate Tribunal (Appellate Authority, Appeal No. 8/2010, disposed of on 08.10.2011) had ordered his reinstatement; by a common order dated 20.09.2024 the learned Single Judge disposed of W.P.No.10811/2012 by substituting a lump-sum of Rs.10,00,000/- payable by the Management (Grama Vidhyodhaya Sangha) towards salary the employee would have earned, and dismissed the employee's own writ petitions. Pending the present appeals, a coordinate bench by order dated 26.03.2026 partly allowed the Management's W.A.No.35/2025, modifying the direction to payment of Rs.7,00,000/- towards salary and other benefits with interest @ 6% per annum (default @ 12% per annum), within 2 months. Holding that a quietus had thereby been given, this Bench found that W.A.No.268/2025 does not survive and that nothing survives in the employee's two appeals, dismissed all three writ appeals as infructuous, and directed the respondent Management to comply with the order in W.A.No.35/2025.

NC: 2026:KHC:22734-DB WA No. 268 of 2025 C/W WA No. 265 of 2025 WA No. 271 of 2025

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HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026

PRESENT

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH

AND

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF WRIT APPEAL NO. 268 OF 2025 (S-RES)

C/W

WRIT APPEAL NO. 265 OF 2025 (S-RES) WRIT APPEAL NO. 271 OF 2025 (S-RES)

IN WA No. 268/2025

BETWEEN:

Digitally signed by REKHA R Location: High Court of Karnataka

SRI. PUTTASWAMY, S/O SRI. GURUMALLAPPA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, ASSISTAT MASTER, SRI. GURUMALLESWARA SARVAJANIKA HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLY, T. NARASIPURAM TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038. RESIDING AT NARAGYATHANAHALLY, HORALAHALLI POST, T NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 120.

…APPELLANT

(BY SRI. SRIKANTH M P., ADVOCATE)

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AND:

THE SECRETARY, GRAMA VIDHYODHAYA SANGHA, T. NARASIPURA, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

THE HEAD MASTER, SRI GURU MALLESHWARA, SARVAJANIK HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLI, T. NARASIPUR TALUK, MYSURU DISTRICT - 571 038.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS (SECONDARY) AND APPELLATE AUTHORITY, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 001.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS MYSORE DISTRICT, MYSORE - 571 038.

THE BLOCK EDUCATION OFFICER, T NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. M.N. SUDEV HEGDE, AGA FOR R2 TO R5, R1 & R2 ARE SERVED AND UNREPRESENTED)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT, 1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 20.09.2024 OF THE LEARNED SINGLE JUDGE PASSED IN WP No-10811/2012(S) AND SUITABLY MODIFY THE ORDER OF THE LEARNED SINGLE JUDGE WITH REGARD TO THE PAYMENT OF BACK WAGES WHICH WILL BE PAYABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AS HELD BY THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY ON APPEAL No-8/2010 DISPOSED OF ON 08.10.2011 ANNEXURE-A.

NC: 2026:KHC:22734-DB WA No. 268 of 2025 C/W WA No. 265 of 2025 WA No. 271 of 2025

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HC-KAR

IN WA NO. 265/2025

BETWEEN:

SRI. PUTTASWAMY, S/O SRI. GURUMALLAPPA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, ASSISTAT MASTER, SRI. GURUMALLESWARA SARVAJANIKA HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLY, T. NARASIPURAM TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038. RESIDING AT NARAGYATHANAHALLY, HORALAHALLI POST, T NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

...APPELLANT

(BY SRI. SRIKANTH M P., ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE - 560 001.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, NEW PUBLIC OFFICES, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 001.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, SECONDARY EDUCATION, NEW PUBLIC OFFICES, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 001.

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HC-KAR

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, MYSORE DISTRICT, MYSORE - 571 038.

THE BLOCK EDUCATION OFFICER, T. NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

GRAMA VIDHYODHAYA SANGHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, T.NARASIPURA, T.NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY.

SRI.NANDEESH D.S. S/O.D.S.SADASHIVAMURTHY, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, ASSISTANT ENGLISH TEACHER, SRI GURUMALLESWARA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLI, T.NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. M.N SUDEV HEGDE, AGA FOR R1 TO R5, SRI. R.S. RAVI SR. COUNSEL FOR SRI. AKASH KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R6 & R7)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT,1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:20.09.2024 OF THE LEARNED SINGLE JUDGE PASSED IN WP No.28495/2014 (S-RES) AND PASS ANY ORDER OF CONSEQUENTIAL RELIEF OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE ORDER OR DIRECTION AS THIS HONBLE COURT DEEMS FIT IN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE IN THE ENDS OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

NC: 2026:KHC:22734-DB WA No. 268 of 2025 C/W WA No. 265 of 2025 WA No. 271 of 2025

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HC-KAR

IN WA NO. 271/2025

BETWEEN:

SRI. PUTTASWAMY, S/O SRI. GURUMALLAPPA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, ASSISTAT MASTER, SRI. GURUMALLESWARA SARVAJANIKA HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLY, T. NARASIPURAM TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038. RESIDING AT NARAGYATHANAHALLY, HORALAHALLI POST, T NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

...APPELLANT

(BY SRI. SRIKANTH M P., ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE - 560 001.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, NEW PUBLIC OFFICES, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BANGALORE -560 001.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, SECONDARY EDUCATION, NEW PUBLIC OFFICES, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 001.

6 - NC: 2026:KHC:22734-DB WA No. 268 of 2025 C/W WA No. 265 of 2025 WA No. 271 of 2025

HC-KAR

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, MYSORE DISTRICT, MYSORE - 571 038.

THE BLOCK EDUCATION OFFICER, T.NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE - 571 038.

GRAMA VIDHYODHAYA SANGHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, T.NARASIPURA, T.NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038 REP. BY ITS SECRETARY.

SRI. NANDEESH D.S. S/O. D.S. SADASHIVAMURTHY, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, ASSISTANT ENGLISH TEACHER, SRI GURUMALLESWARA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, BENAKANAHALLI, T.NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 038.

...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI.M.N. SUDEV HEGDE, AGA FOR R1 TO R5, SRI. R.S. RAVI SR. COUNSEL FOR SRI. AKASH KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R6 & R7)

THIS WRIT APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT ACT, 1961, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED:20.09.2024 OF THE LEARNED SINGLE JUDGE PASSED IN WP NO.57103/2014(S-RES) PASS ANY ORDER OF CONSEQUENTIAL RELIEF OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE ORDER OR DIRECTION.

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

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

ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF)

These three appeals being W.A.No.265/2025,

W.A.No.268/2025 and W.A.No.271/2025 are by the unsuccessful petitioners in W.P.No.28495/2014 & W.P.No.57103/2014 and respondent No.1 in

W.P.No.10811/2012, disposed of by a common order dated 20.09.2024 by the Writ Court.

The Writ Court under the impugned order, disposed of W.P.No.10811/2012 filed by the Management directing it to pay lump-sum of Rs.10,00,000/- to the respondent No.1 in the said Writ Petition i.e., the employee towards salary that he would have earned as against the order of reinstatement passed by the Educational Appellate Tribunal. However, dismissed both the Writ Petitions filed by the employee in W.P.No.28495/2014 and W.P.No.57103/2014.

8 - NC: 2026:KHC:22734-DB WA No. 268 of 2025 C/W WA No. 265 of 2025 WA No. 271 of 2025

HC-KAR

The parties are referred to as per their rankings

before the Writ Court in W.P.No.10811/2012.

The coordinate bench of this Court in

W.A.No.35/2025 filed by the Management calling in question the common order passed in W.P.No.10811/2012, on 26.03.2026 disposed of the said appeal allowing the same in part, thereby modifying the direction to pay a sum of Rs.7,00,000/- towards salary and other benefits along with interest @ 6% per annum from the date of order passed by the Writ Court within 2 months from the date of receipt of certified copy of the order, with default interest @ 12% per annum if not deposited within the time limit. In that view of the matter, W.A.No.268/2025 challenging the order in W.P.No.10811/2012 does not survive for consideration and the same rendered infructuous.

Further, in view of disposal of the appeal by the Management, nothing survives further to consider, since a quietus has been given by directing the Management to pay sum of Rs.7,00,000/- with interest supra in a time bound manner towards salary and other benefits that the employee

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would have earned. As such, nothing survives to consider in other two appeals filed by the employee challenging the order of dismissal of his Writ Petitions. Accordingly, all the Writ Appeals are dismissed as rendered infructuous in view of the order dated 26.03.2026 passed in W.A.No.35/2025.

The respondent Management is directed to comply

the order passed in W.A.No.35/2025.

Sd/(D K SINGH) JUDGE

Sd/(T.M.NADAF) JUDGE

TKN

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