Disposed

Desi Pusthaka v. the Addl. Chief Secretary

Karnataka HC16 Sept 2026WP/16553/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Petitioners, book publishers, challenged official memoranda and a suspension order staying supply of books to libraries. The suspension order dated 20.05.2026 was withdrawn on 26.06.2026. Petitioners sought disposal of the writ petition as infructuous and a direction to extend the supply deadline by 15 days. The High Court disposed of the petition by permitting petitioners to make a representation regarding the one-month non-supply period, directing authorities to consider it within three weeks.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of as infructuous; petitioners permitted to make representation regarding one-month non-supply period; authorities directed to consider representation within three weeks and intimate decision to petitioners.

Desi Pusthaka Vs the Addl. Chief Secretary — Contract and Commercial Disputes | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:51024 WP No. 16553 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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CNR: KAHC010367412026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 16^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA WRIT PETITION NO. 16553 OF 2026 (GM-RES)

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BETWEEN:

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DESI PUSTHAKA BOOK PUBLISHERS, NO.121, 13TH MAIN ROAD, M.C.EXTENS, VIJAYANA, BENGALURU-560040. REPRESENTED BY ITS PRORIETRIX, SMT.ASHA NAGESHA, W/O NAGESH, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS,

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SRUSTI PUBLICATIONS PRINTS BOOK PUBLISHERS, NO.1445, 3RD CROSS, CORPORATION COLONY, GOVINDARAJNAGAR, BENGALURU-560079. REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR, SRI NAGESH, S/O THIMMEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS,

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…PETITIONERS

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(BY SRI. KALEEMULLA SHARIFF.,ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY GOVT. OF KARNATAKA, DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, LITERACY AND PUBLIC LIBRARY,

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:51024 WP No. 16553 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010367412026

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VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560001.

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THE COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, SIR M. VISVESHWARAIAH TOWER, 4TH FLOOR, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560001.

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THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CITY CENTRAL LIBRARY, CENTRAL REGION, NO.35, RAJARAM MOHAN ROY EXTENSION, 2ND CROSS ROAD, K.H.ROAD, BENGALURU-560057

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI. V SHIVAREDDY, AGA FOR R1 TO R3)

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THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM DATED 03.02.2026 BEARING NO. SAGRAMI/A KA/PUKHAVI/2025-26/3457 VIDE ANNX-C AND OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM DATED 09.02.2026 BEARING NO. SAGRAMI/A KA/PUKHAVI/2025-26/3576 VIDE ANNX-D AND TO QUASH THE MEMORANDUM DATED 20.05.2026 BEARING NO. SAGRAMI/A KA/PUKHAVI/2025-26/138, VIDE ANNX-E ISSUED BY THE R2 BY ISSUING WRIT OF CERTIORARI.

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THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:51024 WP No. 16553 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010367412026

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ORAL ORDER

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The present writ petition is filed seeking of the following

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reliefs:

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"i) Quash the Official Memorandum dated 03.02.2026 bearing No. •ಾ•ಾ•ಂಇ/ಅ"ಾ/ಪ$ಖ& /2025-26/3457 vide Annexure-C and official memorandum dated 09.02.2026 bearing No. •ಾ•ಾ•ಂಇ/ ಅ"ಾ/ಪ$ಖ& /202526/3576 vide annexure-D and to quash the memorandum dated 20.05.2026 bearing No. •ಾ•ಾ•ಂಇ/ಅ"ಾ/ಪ$ಖ&/2025-26/138, vide Annexure-E issued by the second respondent by issuing writ of certiorari.

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ii) To pass any other appropriate order or direction from this Hon'ble Court deems fit under the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity."

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Learned AGA on behalf of respondents has filed a

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memo placing on record that the suspension order dated 20.05.2026 (Annexure-E to the writ petition) has been withdrawn on 26.06.2026.

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However, learned counsel for the petitioners has filed a memo dated 16.09.2026 which reads as under:

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"MEMO

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Petitioner in the above writ petition has challenged the order of the respondent Nos.2 and 3 staying the supply of books to the various libraries by order dated 20.05.2026. has stayed the supply of books temporarily. It is submitted that the

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Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:51024 WP No. 16553 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010367412026

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respondents 2 and 3 have withdrawn the order of stay dated 20.05.2026 by their order dated 26.06.2026. The last date for supply of books is 30.06.2026. As there were holidays on 28.06.2026, the petitioner sought 15 days' time from the authorities. Now the libraries are not accepting the books. Hence, the petitioner has filed I.A. in the above writ petition seeking a direction to respondents to extend the time. Prays that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to dispose of the writ petition, as it has become infructuous with a direction to the respondents 2 and 3 to extend the time for supply of books by 15 days in the interest of justice and equity."

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sd/(Advocate for petitioners)"

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It is the contention of learned counsel for the

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petitioners that in view of the impugned order dated 20.05.2026 and before the same could be withdrawn vide order dated 26.06.2026, he was not able to supply the books for a period of one month.

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In view of the aforementioned, the present writ petition is disposed of by permitting the petitioners to make a representation to the concerned authority/ies with regard to the grievance of the petitioners as to non supply of books for a period of one month as noticed above. If such a

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representation is made, the concerned authorities shall consider the same within a period of three weeks from the date

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Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA

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NC: 2026:KHC:51024 WP No. 16553 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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CNR: KAHC010367412026

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of receipt of the said representation, in accordance with law.

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The consideration of the said representation to be intimated to

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the petitioner.

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Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA

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(C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE

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PNV List No.: 2 Sl No.: 32

Desi Pusthaka v. the Addl. Chief Secretary

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Desi Pusthaka v. the Addl. Chief Secretary

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