The Karnataka High Court has stayed the operation of an order issued by the State Government on June 12, which had terminated the services of 195 ASHA Mentors. Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur passed the interim relief while issuing notice on the petition filed by several affected ASHA workers.
“There shall be stay of the operation of the impugned order dated 12.06.2025 issued by respondent No.3 vide Annexure-A till next date of hearing,” the court stated.
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Advocate Shridhar Prabhu, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the petitioners have worked for more than a decade in their posts and have completed all required training as mandated. He highlighted that they are the unrecognised backbone of the ASHA program, which has played a crucial role in both rural and urban healthcare delivery.
The plea further submitted that the authorities failed to regularise their appointments despite more than 10 years of dedicated service. The decision to abolish their posts after such a long period of commitment was made without any valid reason or any allegation of misconduct or dereliction of duty.
It was also argued that the impugned order did not provide any proper mechanism for the absorption of the displaced petitioners. According to the plea, the petitioners were being relieved of their responsibilities through informal channels like WhatsApp messages, which was arbitrary and unfair.
The petitioners prayed that “the impugned order be declared illegal and ultra vires to the Constitution.”
They also sought a further direction to regularise their services as ASHA Mentors from their original date of appointment in their respective districts. Additionally, they requested that all applicable service benefits and emoluments be provided to them in accordance with the law.
Case Title: Savita & Others AND Union of India & Others
Case No: WP 103940/2025
Appearance: Advocate Shridhar Prabhu for Petitioners.
