Dismissed¶32

K. L. J. a. Kiran Babu v. the Management of

Karnataka HC3 Jul 2026WP/22994/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Maintainability of writ petition against private company; respondent not ‘State’ under Article 12 of the Constitution of India; absence of government control/supervision and public duty or function; S. Shobha Vs. Muthoot Finance Ltd., 2025 INSC 117 applied; challenge to termination of employment by Hewlett-Packard GlobalSoft Pvt. Ltd. left undecided on merits; writ petition dismissed with liberty to approach appropriate Court; filed by party-in-person; High Court of Karnataka, WP No. 22994 of 2025 (S-RES), Justice Ashok S.Kinagi, decided 3 July 2026.

What did the court decide?

Liberty reserved to the petitioner to address his grievance before the appropriate Court; no relief granted on the writ petition. ¶32

K. L. J. a. Kiran Babu Vs the Management of — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:33532 WP No. 22994 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3^RD DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI WRIT PETITION NO. 22994 OF 2025 (S-RES)

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BETWEEN:

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K. L. J. A. KIRAN BABU AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, DOB: 11^TH APRIL 1967 PERMANENT ADDRESS 26/590 (B), KRUPANILAYAM, NEAR SPG HIGH SCHOOL, NANDYAL R.S., ANDHRA PRADESH - 518 502.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI. K. L. J. A. KIRAN BABU, PARTY IN PERSON)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by SUNITHA K S

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Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

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THE MANAGEMENT OF HEWLETT-PACKARD GLOBALSOFT PVT. LTD., H. P. AVENUE, 39/40, ELECTRONICS CITY, HOSUR ROAD, BANGALORE, KARNATAKA - 560 100.

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…RESPONDENT THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA BY PARTY-IN-PERSON PRAYING TOTO DETERMINE WHETHER THE TERMINATION EMPLOYMENT OF THE PETITIONER BY THE RESPONDENT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VOID.

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NC: 2026:KHC:33532 WP No. 22994 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI

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ORAL ORDER

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Petitioner has filed this Writ Petition seeking the following

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relief:

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The Hon'ble Court may be pleased to determine whether “THE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE PETITIONER BY THE RESPONDENT”, is unconstitutional & void.

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The petitioner has filed this Writ Petition against the

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private company. It is not the case of the petitioner that the respondent company is under the control and supervision of the Government and discharging public duty or function. The Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of S. Shobha Vs. Muthoot

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Finance Ltd., reported in 2025 INSC 117 has held as follows:

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“Writ petitions cannot be filed against private company – private companies considering ‘State’ only when performing a public function.”

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Hence, the respondent doesn't fall within the

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purview of a ‘State’ under Article 12 of the Constitution of India and the Writ Petition filed by the petitioner against a private company is not maintainable.

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NC: 2026:KHC:33532 WP No. 22994 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed .

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Liberty is reserved to the petitioner to address his grievance before the appropriate Court.

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Sd/(ASHOK S.KINAGI) JUDGE

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