Dismissed¶40

Dr N Maruti Rao v. the Rani Channamma University

Karnataka HC7 Jan 2026WP/106081/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Infructuous writ petition dismissed; efflux-of-time expiry of Chairman's fixed two-year tenure (appointed 26.12.2023, term ended 26.12.2025); Rani Channamma University, Belagavi; Department of Business Administration chairmanship; certiorari and mandamus under Articles 226 and 227, Constitution of India; impugned order No.RaChaviBe/Kusaka/SiAasuvi/2024-25/3373 dated 09.10.2024 (Annexure-E) not adjudicated on merits; Karnataka High Court, Dharwad Bench; Justice K.S. Hemalekha; WP No.106081 of 2024 (S-TR).

What did the court decide?

The petitioner's appointment as Chairman (Annexure-C) was for a period of two years or until further orders, whichever earlier; appointed by order dated 26.12.2023, his term came to an end by efflux of time on 26.12.2025, a factual position counsel for the petitioner did not dispute. ¶35

Dr N Maruti Rao Vs the Rani Channamma University — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:128 WP No. 106081 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD

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DATED THIS THE 7^TH DAY OF JANUARY 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO.106081 OF 2024 (S-TR)

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BETWEEN:

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DR. N. MARUTI RAO AGE. 54 YEARS, OCC. PROFESSOR, R/O. PLOT NO. 15, BHARAT COLONY, MAHANTESH NAGAR, KANBARAGI ROAD, BELAGAVI-590016, TQ AND DIST. BELAGAVI.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI. H.M.DHARIGOND, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY VIDYA SANGAMA, NATIONAL HIGHWAY-04, BELAGAVI-591156, REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR (ADMIN).

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THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

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Digitally signedby MANJANNAE MANJANNAE Location: HIGHCOURT OFKARNATAKADHARWADBENCHDate:2026.01.2015:21:14 +0530

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THE RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY, VIDYA SANGAMA, NATIONAL HIGHWAY-04, BELAGAVI-591156, DHARWAD-580001.

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DR. S.C.PATIL AGE. 52 YEARS, OCC. PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, THE RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY, VIDYA SANGAMA, NATIONAL HIGHWAY-04, BELAGAVI-591156.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI. ANOOP G.DESHPANDE, ADVOCATE FOR R1; SMT. VAISHALI KALADAGI, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. VINAYAK S.KULKARNI AND SRI. PRAVEEN G.KULKARNI, ADVOCATE FOR R3)

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:128 WP No. 106081 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN NATURE OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER BEARING NO.gÁZÀ«¨É/PÀÄ¸ÀPÁ/¹D¸ÀÄ«/2024-25/3373 DATED 09.10.2024 ISSUED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 VIDE ANNEXURE-E; TO ISSUE A WRIT IN NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.1 AND 2 TO PERMIT THE PETITIONER TO CONTINUE HIS SERVICES AS CHAIRMAN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIVE OF THE RESPONDENT NO.1 UNIVERSITY AND ETC.

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THIS WRIT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

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CORAM: THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA

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ORAL ORDER

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The petitioner in this writ petition is seeking for following prayers;

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a) To issue a Writ in nature of Certiorari or any other to quash the impugned order bearing No.RaChaviBe/Kusaka/SiAasuvi/2024-25/3373 dated 09.10.2024 issued by the Respondent No.1 vide Annexure-E.

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b) To issue a Writ in nature of mandamus or any other by directing the Respondents No.1 and 2 to permit the Petitioner to continue his services

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:128 WP No. 106081 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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as Chairman in the Department of the Business Administration of the Respondent No.1 University.

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c) To pass such orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the case as in duty bound the Petitioner shall ever pray act of kindness in the interest of justice and equity.

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Learned counsel appearing for respondent No.1 submits that writ petition has become infructuous, since the appointment of the petitioner as chairmanship, as per Annexure-C was for a period of two years or until further orders, whichever was earlier. The appointment order is dated 26.12.2023 and by efflux of time, the term came to an end on 26.12.2025. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner does not dispute the aforesaid factual position.

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In view of the admitted fact that the term of the petitioner as chairman has already expired on 26.12.2025, no securing cause of action remains for consideration in the present writ petition.

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:128 WP No. 106081 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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Accordingly, writ petition is dismissed as having become infructuous.

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Sd/JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA

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AM/Ct:VH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 2