SUNIL PUJERI vs STATE OF KARNATAKA

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58250
WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
TH
DATED THIS THE 13 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV
WRIT PETITION NO. 31894 OF 2026 (S-RES)
BETWEEN:
SUNIL PUJERI
S/O. LAKKAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
WORKING AS COMMANDANT
4BN KSRP-BANGALORE.
PERMANENT ADDRESS,
HANUMANTH NAGAR, SAVASUDDI VILLAGE,
SAUNSUDDI POST, RAIBAG TALUK,
BELGUAM DISTRICT - 591 235
…PETITIONER
(BY SRI. PRASANNAKUMAR P., ADVOCATE)
AND:
Digitally signed
by PRAKASH N
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO
THE HOME DEPARTN4ENT,
M.S. BUILDING, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
2. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE,
RECRUITMENT WING, CID OFFICE,
AMBEDKAR VEEDI,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58250
WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
3. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
KARNATAKA EXAMINATION AUTHORITY (KEA),
SAMPIGE ROAD, 18TH CROSS,
MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU - 560 012
4. THE KARNATAKA STATE RESERVE POLICE (KSRP),
4TH BALLALION,
BANGALORE UNIT
KORAMANGALA,
BENGALURU - 560 034
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT. RASHMI RAO, AGA)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO WHEREFORE, FOR
THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THE PETITIONER HUMBLY
PRAYS THAT, THIS HONBLE COURT MAY KINDLY BE PLEASED
TO A). ISSUE WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS BY DIRECT
THE 2ND AND 3RD RESPONDENT TO PERMIT THE PETITIONER
TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY CORRECTIONS IN THE
APPLICATION DATED.22.06.2026, INSOFAR AS REGARDING
IN-SERVICE CANDIDATE AS ANNEXURE-D.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58250
WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
ORAL ORDER
1. The petitioner is working as a Commandant in the
Karnataka State Reserve Police (for short ‘KSRP’), has
filed the present petition.
2. The petitioner had participated in the selection process
for the post of Karnataka Civil Police Constable
conducted by the State. It is submitted that while filling
up the application form, though the petitioner was
eligible for reservation in the category of in-service, by
oversight, the relevant details of his entitlement to
reservation by virtue of employment at KSRP, was not
mentioned in the column of cadre reservation. It is
submitted that representations were made to the
authority two days after the preliminary selection score
list was published, after noticing that the petitioner’s
name was found in the score list of direct recruits as per
Annexure-E. It is submitted that the representation was
made at Annexure-F on 20.08.2026. The petitioner had
participated in the physical examination test. On

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NC: 2026:KHC:58250
WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
21.09.2025, another representation was made at
Annexure-J.
3. It is further submitted that since the petitioner has
passed the physical examination, he must be permitted
to participate in the selection process under the
reservation category on the basis of current
employment and the lapse pointed out referred to above
may be permitted to be rectified enabling the petitioner
to avail the benefit of the in-service reservation.
4. Learned Government Advocate would submit that last
date for rectification had already lapsed and time was
granted for rectifying the mistakes found in the
application, and not having rectified such mistake at
such advanced point of time, there would be extreme
administrative inconvenience to redo the merit list.
5. Heard the learned counsel for both sides.

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WP No. 31894 of 2026
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6. At the outset, when it was elicited as to the stage of
selection process, it is submitted by the learned
Government Advocate that the select list is still to be
published, which may be published at the end of the
month.
7. The application of the petitioner is found at Annexure-D.
A perusal of the same would indicate that insofar as the
query, Are you a State/Central Government servant?,
the petitioner has marked ‘yes’. In the next row, as
regards name of the Department, office, it is mentioned
as ‘KSRP Police Department’. In the next row, asking
presently working? It is remaked as ‘yes’. However, in
the same page of the application form, under the row
cadre reservation, it is mentioned as ‘No’.
8. This error of not mentioning in the affirmative as
regards cadre reservation has resulted in petitioner’s
name being found in the direct recruits list. Insofar as
the petitioner being currently employed not being in

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WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
dispute and looking at the declaration made in the
application form that he is working with the KSRP
currently, it appears that the declaration regarding
cadre reservation is wrongly mentioned by oversight.
9. It is to be noticed that this error and request for
rectification of application was made on 20.08.2026.
Admittedly, immediately after the first score list was
announced. Further, even before the physical
examination test on 21.09.2026, request was once
again made as evidenced by Annexure-J. As of now, it
is not in dispute the petitioner has passed in the
physical examination test.
10. Insofar as the error of not mentioning in the
affirmative, as regards cadre reservation, it is to be
noticed that the application already contained the
declaration that he was working in Government service
and in the KSRP.

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WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
11. If that were to be so, permitting an amendment of
the application insofar as the cadre reservation would be
an equitable relief to be afforded which would not cause
prejudice to the rights of others as the petitioner was in
fact working under the KSRP, as already mentioned in
the application form.
12. Taking note that the select list is not yet published, it
would be appropriate considering the peculiar facts of
this case and noticing the declaration of the petitioner in
the application that he was already working with the
KSRP department, to direct the respondents to permit
the petitioner to carry out the correction in the
application form and treat the petitioner under ‘cadre
reservation’ category.
13. Accordingly, the petition is disposed of .
14. Respondent No.2 is directed to permit the petitioner
to make amendment of the application form insofar as
the cadre reservation column is concerned and the

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WP No. 31894 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010695022026
petitioner’s name is now to be shown in the relevant list
relating to candidates claiming cadre reservation and as
in-service candidate.
15. Needless to state, the selection of the petitioner
would be on the basis of merit.
16. Respondent No.2 shall take steps forthwith, in light
of the observations made above.
Sd/-
(S SUNIL DUTT YADAV)
JUDGE
SKS