MANJUNATH D. Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners have filed this petition for a direction to the fourth respondent to continue with the selection process in terms of the Notification dtd. 22/4/2022 [as per Annexure-A] and to announce the selection list consequent to the examinations conducted on 12/13/11/2022 pursuant to such selection Notification. Sri N.R.Naik, the learned counsel for the petitioners, and Sri M.S.Nagaraja, the learned Additional Government Advocate who accepts notice for the first and the second respondents, are heard for final disposal of the petition.

(2.) The petitioners' grievance is that after examinations were conducted on 12/13/11/2022, the question papers have been switched off and as such separate complaints have been lodged. The Deputy Commissioner, Shivamogga, acting upon such complaints, has directed the second respondent to enquire into the complaints and take suitable action. The petitioners, who have applied for the post of attenders, will be prejudiced if the process in terms of the selection Notification dtd. 22/4/2022 is not completed. The second respondent is directed to conduct an enquiry into complaints about switching of question papers. The petitioners have detailed the allegations in this regard in the writ petition.

(3.) If the selection process commenced is not complete because of an enquiry into the allegations of wrong doing in the conduct of the selection process and if there is a direction to the second respondent to enquire, this Court is of the considered view that the second respondent must take suitable action to conclude the enquiry and file a report with the first respondent so that appropriate instructions could be issued for continuation of the selection process pursuant to the Notification dtd. 22/4/2022, or otherwise. If there is any delay, that would prejudice not only the petitioners but also the others who could similarly be placed in having appeared for the examination.