The Karnataka High Court recently delivered a landmark judgment highlighting the severe consequences of administrative negligence and ignorance of settled legal principles. The Court, presided over by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, imposed a personal cost of ₹2,00,000 on the Chairman and Members of the District Caste and Income Verification Committee, Hassan, for denying a valid caste and income certificate to a selected Assistant Public Prosecutor, Smt. Muthulaxmi B.N., despite the law on this matter being unequivocally settled.
“Justice delayed is justice dented,” declared the Court, emphasizing the emotional and professional toll taken on the petitioner who waited 12 months for a rightful appointment due to bureaucratic apathy.
Background of the Case:
In 2019, the Karnataka Government issued a notification to fill 181 posts of Assistant Public Prosecutors. Muthulaxmi B.N., selected under Category 3A, uploaded and submitted all relevant documents to the Taluk Caste and Income Verification Committee through the Sevasindhu portal on 25 May 2023.
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Shockingly, instead of issuing the Validity Certificate, the Committee ordered an inspection of her home. The inspection report cited her husband’s income—who works as a lecturer in a private college—as exceeding the permissible threshold, and denied the certificate on this basis.
“Her legitimate aspirations were swept under the weight of official indifference,” lamented the Court.
Legal Blunder by Authorities:
The officers ignored established judgments of both the Supreme Court and the High Court of Karnataka, which clearly state that only the income of the parents—not the spouse—is to be considered for such caste and income certificates.
Despite being shown these precedents by the petitioner at multiple forums, the authorities persisted in applying an incorrect legal standard. This led to a 12-month delay in her appointment, while her counterparts from the same selection list joined their posts without issue.
Following repeated non-compliance, the High Court passed interim orders pressing the authorities to issue the certificate. Only after these court directives did the Committee finally issue the Validity Certificate on 29 April 2024.
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“The Committee issued the Validity Certificate only because this Court directed them to. This reflects a blatant disregard and ignorance of law,” the Court observed.
However, the Court refrained from initiating contempt proceedings, opting instead for imposing a personal fine.
Strong Judicial Remarks:
“The State, in willful ignorance or negligent defiance, clung to a misbegotten interpretation... imputing the income of the spouse to determine the backwardness of a woman born into an eligible category.”
“The petitioner was left to knock on bureaucratic doors until her knuckles bled with frustration.”
“Dereliction cloaked in ignorance shall find no refuge before this Court.”
The Court made it clear that this delay was not just a bureaucratic lapse but a "document of miscarriage of justice" authored by state officials.
In a stern order, the Court ruled:
- The Chairman and Members of the Hassan District Caste and Income Verification Committee must personally pay ₹2,00,000 to the petitioner within four weeks.
- The cost must not be paid by the State.
- The petitioner is entitled to all consequential benefits, except for salary and monetary gains during the delayed period.
“The curtain cannot fall on this matter with a mere note of closure. The law was clear; the precedent was binding.”
Case Title: Smt. Muthulaxmi B.N. vs. State of Karnataka & Others Writ Petition No. 10897 of 2024 (GM-CC)