Sangeeta R Vs State of Karnataka — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

Sangeeta R Vs State of Karnataka — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Directions to respondent Nos.2 and 3 to consider the petitioner's representations dated 12.05.2025 and 21.05.2025 (Annexures-A and A1) and pass appropriate order in accordance with law within three months; payment of salaries due to the petitioner within one month if not already paid; interim order restraining termination extended until such order is passed.

Issue for consideration

Whether respondent Nos.2 and 3 should consider the petitioner's representations dated 12.05.2025 and 21.05.2025 (Annexures-A and A1) and complete the process of regularization of her services and issue appointment orders. +3 more

Court's answer

Respondent Nos.2 and 3 are directed to address the petitioner's grievances, consider her representations dated 12.05.2025 and 21.05.2025 (Annexures-A and A1) and pass appropriate order in accordance with law within three months from receipt of a copy of this order.

Ratio / Principle

The concerned respondents shall pay the salaries due to the petitioner, if not already paid as on today, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

Key takeaways

The interim order granted earlier (restraining termination of the petitioner's contractual services) is extended until respondent Nos.2 and 3 pass appropriate order on the aforesaid representations.ratio¶55

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition disposed of with directions - Regularization of contractual Assistant Professor, University of Mysuru: Petitioner Sangeeta R, working as Assistant Professor on contractual basis in respondent No.2 University, sought consideration of her representations (Annexures-A and A1 dated 12.05.2025 and 21.05.2025) for regularization, declaration that the artificial break at the end of each academic year is illegal, and equal pay/minimum wages till regularization. High Court of Karnataka (S.R. Krishna Kumar, J.), by oral order dated 16.03.2026, directed respondent Nos.2 and 3 to consider the representations and pass appropriate order in accordance with law within three months, to pay the salaries due within one month, and extended the earlier interim order restraining termination of her contractual services until such order is passed; petition stood disposed of accordingly. Filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India.

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NC: 2026:KHC:15417 WP No. 18298 of 2025

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 16^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR WRIT PETITION NO. 18298 OF 2025 (S-RES)

BETWEEN:

SANGEETA R D/O M C RUDRAIAH, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, NO. 132, HOSAVUNDAWADI ROAD, NEAR RAJASHEKHAR GAS AGENCY, BELAGOLA KR SAGARA, SRIRANGAPATNA TALUK, MADYA DISTRICT 571 607.

…PETITIONER

(BY SMT. BELLE. R, ADVOCATE)

AND:

STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,

Digitally signed by MADHURI S Location: High Court of Karnataka

HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, M.S BUILDING,

BANGALORE – 560 001.

UNIVERSITY OF MYSURU REP BY ITS REGISTRAR, CRAWFORD HALL, VISHWAVIDYANILAYA KARYA SOUDHA, KG KOPPAL, SWARASWATHIPURAM,

MYSURU – 570 005.

THE DIRECTOR CENTRE FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MYSURU

MYSURU – 570 006.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SMT. SARITHA KULKARNI, AGA FOR R-1 SRI. ABHISHEK KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R-2 & R-3)

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THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATIONS AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1, DATED 12.05.2025, 21.05.2025 AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO IMMEDIATELY INITIATE ACTIONS AND COMPLETE THE PROCESS OF REGULARIZATION OF THE SERVICES OF THE PETITIONER AND ISSUE APPOINTMENT ORDERS IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED TO PETITIONER.

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

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR

ORAL ORDER

In this petition, the petitioner seeks the following reliefs:

“(i) Issue a Writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representations at ANNEXURE A & A1, dated 12.05.2025, 21.05.2025 and direct the respondents to immediately initiate actions and complete the process of regularization of the services of the petitioner and issue appointment orders immediately concerned to petitioner.

(ii) Issue a writ, order or direction declaring that the artificial break given to the petitioner at the end of each academic year is illegal, void and inoperative and consequently declare that the petitioner has rendered uninterrupted continuous regular service in the respondent university as assistant professor in her respective post from the date of her initial appointment and grant all consequential benefits flowing from the same.

(iii) Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to give equal pay for equal work from the date of joining till

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they are regularized and directing the respondents to extend all other consequential monetary benefits and also for payment of the minimum wages till the date of their regularization.

Iv) Pass any other Order as this Hon’ble Court deems fit to in the facts and circumstances of the case including an Order as to costs in the interest justice and equity.”

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned AGA for respondent No.1 and learned counsel for respondent Nos.2 and 3 and perused the material on record.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the repeated requests and representations submitted by the petitioner including Annexures-A and A1 seeking regularizing have not been considered by respondent Nos.2 and 3 and as such, the petitioner is before this Court by way of the present petition.

Per contra, learned AGA for respondent No.1 and learned counsel for respondent Nos.2 and submit that there is no merit in the petition and that the same is liable to be dismissed.

When the matter came up before this Court on 25.06.2025, this Court passed the following interim order:

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“Learned Government Advocate is directed to take notice to respondent No.1. Office to show the name in the cause list.

Learned counsel for the petitioner to serve one set of copy of the writ petition on learned Government Advocate.

Issue emergent notice to respondent Nos.2 and 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that from past 18 years, the petitioner is working as an Asst. Professor on contractual basis in respondent No.2, University. Now, there is a threat of discontinuing the services of the petitioner. Hence, she sought for grant of stay.

In view of the above, respondents are directed not to terminate the services of the petitioner as Asst. Professor on contractual basis in respondent No.2, University, till the next date of hearing.”

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that despite

continuing to work with respondent No.2-University as on today, the concerned respondent Nos.2 and 3 have not paid salary due to the petitioner and as such, necessary directions may be issued in this regard also and in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and also the undisputed fact that the petitioner had submitted representations at Annexures-A and A1.

The said submission is placed on record.

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In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and

rival submissions, respondent Nos.2 and 3 are hereby directed to address the grievances of the petitioner and consider her representations dated 12.05.2025 and 21.05.2025 at Annexures-A and A1 and pass appropriate order in accordance with law, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In addition thereto, the concerned respondents shall pay the salaries due to the petitioner, if not already paid as on today, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The interim order granted earlier is extended until respondent Nos.2 and 3 pass appropriate order on the aforesaid representations.

9. With the aforesaid directions, the petition stands

disposed off.

Sd/(S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE

BMC

List No.: 1 Sl No.: 36