IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019 BEFORE:
THE HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION No.13855/2017 (EDN – RES) BETWEEN:
Dr. S.PRUTHVIRAJA PANDE S/O LATE K.S.PANDE, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, R/AT NO.2577, II CROSS,, 17TH MAIN, HAL II STAGE, INDIRANAGAR, BANGALORE-560008. ... PETITIONER [BY SRI FAYAZ SAB B.G., ADV.] AND:
1 . THE VICE-CHANCELLAR RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY, N.H-04, VIDYA SANGAMA, BELAGAVI-591156.
2 . THE REGISTRAR (EVALUATIONS) RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY, N.H-04, VIDYA SANGAMA, BELAGAVI-591156.
3 . HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE & MANAGEMENT, RANI CHANNAMMA UNIVERSITY, N.H.-04, VIDYA SANGAMA, BELAGAVI-591156. …RESPONDENTS [BY SRI AMBARISH, ADV. FOR SRI SANTHOSH S. NAGARALE, ADV. FOR R-1 & R-2;
SMT.PRAMODHINI KISHAN, AGA FOR R-3.] THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DIRECT THE R-2 TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF D.LITT COURSE OF THE PETITIONER FORTHWITH CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE NOTIFICATION DATED 11.10.2014.
THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN ‘B’ GROUP, THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:-
O R D E R The petitioner has sought for a writ of mandamus directing respondent No.2 to announce the result of D.Litt Course of the petitioner forthwith conducted pursuant to the Notification dated 11.10.2014.
2. The petitioner submits that pursuant to the Notification dated 11.10.2014, he had submitted his application along with six sets of ten copies of the Management Research Articles and other required material for registration of D.Litt., but the respondents have not announced the result of the petitioner nor assigned any cogent reasons for the same despite the respondent – University has celebrated its two convocations. Hence, this writ petition.
3. The respondent – University has filed statement of objections. Learned counsel for the respondent – University submits that in terms of Annexure – R2 dated 23.06.2017 to the Statement of objections, the petitioner was called upon to submit the soft copies of Ph.D. thesis and D.Litt thesis, which has not been complied with. It is submitted that the evaluation of the thesis for the award of D.Litt degree shall be made after receiving the soft copies as sought for.
4. As could be seen from the material available on record, it is discernible that the respondent – University is not vigilant in taking decision on the application made by the petitioner inasmuch as the evaluation of thesis for the award of D.Litt. degree though submitted during November, 2014 along with the requisite fee. The objections now raised by the respondent – University appears to cover up the lapses/delay caused in evaluating the thesis of the petitioner.
5. Be that as it may, in view of the submissions now made by the learned counsel for the respondent – University that the evaluation of the thesis shall be made immediately on the soft copies of Ph.D thesis and D.Litt thesis submitted by the petitioner, the petitioner shall submit the soft copies as sought for forthwith and on submission of the same, the respondent – University shall evaluate the same and announce the result within a period of four weeks from the date of the receipt of soft copies of Ph.D thesis and D.Litt thesis by the petitioner.
The writ petition stands disposed of in terms of the above.
Sd/- JUDGE PMR