Karnataka High Court
Renuka vs The State Of Karnataka And Ors on 10 March, 2026
Author: S.Vishwajith Shetty
Bench: S.Vishwajith Shetty
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NC: 2026:KHC-K:2274
WP No. 200042 of 2025
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
KALABURAGI BENCH
DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY
WRIT PETITION NO. 200042 OF 2025 (S-RES)
BETWEEN:
SMT. RENUKA W/O RAMESH,
AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS,
OCC:ANGANWADI HELPER OF HEDGAPUR
SANTHAPUR ANGANWADI CENTER,
TQ. AURAD, DIST. BIDAR,
R/O NEAR HANUMAN TEMPLE,
HEDGAPUR VILLAGE, TQ. AURAD,
DIST. BIDAR-585 436.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. ARUNKUMAR AMARGUNDAPPA, ADVOCATE)
Digitally signed
by SACHIN AND:
Location: HIGH
COURT OF 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
KARNATAKA
DEPT. OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT,
REPRESENTED BY ITS UNDER SECRETARY,
VIDHAN SOUDHA, BANGALURU-01.
2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
CUM CHAIRMAN ANGANAWADI
HELPER/WORKER, SELECTION COMMITTEE,
BIDAR, DIST. BIDAR- 585 401.
3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE DEVELOPMENT,
BIDAR, DIST. BIDAR -585 401.
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WP No. 200042 of 2025
HC-KAR
4. THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICER,
DEPT. OF WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE
DEVELOPMENT, SANTHAPUR,
TQ. AURAD, DIST. BIDAR-585 436.
5. MAHANAND D/O SHANKAR,
AGE: 27 YEARS, OCC: NOT KNOWN,
R/O CHANDRAMAHARAJA TANDA,
TQ. AURAD, DIST. BIDAR-585 436
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI VIRANAGOUDA M. BIRADAR, AGA FOR R1 TO R4;
SRI MANURE ASHOK KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R5)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226
AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO
ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI AND MANDAMUS AND GRANT
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS:A)
TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED PUBLICATION DATED 12.01.2024
BEARING NO.²CAiÉÆøÀA/CA.PÁ.PÀ./CA.¸À/£ÉêÀÄPÁw/C¢ü/¥ÀPæ /À 2023-24 ISSUED
BY THE RESPONDENT NO.4 INSOFAR AS IT RELATES TO THE
POST OF ANGANWADI WORKER OF CHANDRA MAHARAJ TANDA
ANGANWADI CENTER, TQ. AURDA (B), DIST. BIDAR AT
SL.NO.14 THE COPY OF WHICH AT ANNEXURE-D. B) DIRECT
THE RESPONDENT NO.2 TO 4 TO CONSIDER THE
CANDIDATURE OF THE PETITIONER TO THE POST OF
ANGANWADI WORKER OF CHANDRA MAHARAJ TANDA,
ANGANWADI CENTER, TQ. AURDA (B), DIST. BIDAR STRICTLY
IN TERMS OF GUIDELINES AND CLARIFICATION ISSUED VIDE
ANNEXURE-F, F1 AND F2. C) ANY OTHER WRIT OR DIRECTION
IN THE NATURE OF WRIT WHICH THIS HON'BLE COURT DEEMS
FIT TO GRANT IN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
CASE MAY KINDLY BE GRANTED INFAVOUR OF THE
PETITIONER.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING
IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS
UNDER:
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WP No. 200042 of 2025
HC-KAR
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY
ORAL ORDER
This writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India is filed seeking for the following reliefs :
A) To quash the impugned publication dated 12.01.2024 bearing No.²CAiÉÆøÀA/CA.PÁ.PÀ./CA.¸À/£ÉêÀÄPÁw/C¢ü/¥ÀPæ /À 2023-24 issued by the respondent No.4 insofar as it relates to the post of Anganwadi worker of Chandra Maharaj Tanda Anganwadi Center, Tq.
Aurda (B), Dist. Bidar at Sl.No.14 the copy of which at Annexure-D. B) Direct the respondent Nos.2 to 4 to consider the candidature of the petitioner to the post of Anganwadi Worker of Chandra Maharaj Tanda, Anganwadi Center, Tq. Aurad (B), Dist. Bidar strictly in terms of guidelines and clarification issued vide Annexure-F, F1 and F2.
C) Any other writ or direction in the nature of writ which this Hon'ble Court deems fit to grant in the facts and circumstances of the case may kindly be granted infavour of the petitioner.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.
3. Petitioner who had completed her II year PUC, was appointed to the post of Anganwadi Assistant of Hegdapur village Anganwadi Center on 05.10.2018 vide Annexure-B. Respondent Nos.2 to 4 herein appears to have called for applications from eligible candidates to fill-up vacant post of Anganwadi Worker including the post -4- NC: 2026:KHC-K:2274 WP No. 200042 of 2025 HC-KAR of Anganwadi Worker of Chandramaharaj Thanda, Hegdapur village and accordingly had issued the publication dated 12.01.2024 at Annexure-D. The petitioner has questioned the validity of the said notification Annexure-D on the ground that, since she had completed six years of service as on the date of impugned notification and she also fulfilled all other eligible criteria including a pass certificate in SSLC, she was eligible to be appointed to the post of Anganwadi Worker of Chandramaharaj Thanda, Hegdapur village and therefore the respondent Nos.2 to 4 were not justified in calling for applications to fill-up the said post. It is under these circumstances, she is before this Court seeking for the aforesaid relief.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner having placed reliance on the circulars at Annexure-F dated 23.09.2017 and Annexure-F1 dated 03.12.2022 submits that respondent Nos.2 to 4 could not have invited application from candidates to fill-up the post of Anganwadi Worker in -5- NC: 2026:KHC-K:2274 WP No. 200042 of 2025 HC-KAR Chandramaharaj Thanda, Hegdapur village and on the other hand, petitioner should have been promoted to the said post. He submits that under the circumstances the provisional select list published by the respondents which finds the name of respondent No.5 cannot be sustained.
5. Per contra, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 4 and learned counsel for respondent No.5 submits that petitioner who claims to be an eligible candidate has not filed an application pursuant to the impugned notification at Annexure-D. Therefore, it is not open for her to contend that she should have been appointed to the post of Anganwadi Worker of Chandramaharaj Thanda, Hegdapur village. They also submits that, if the petitioner has the grievance as against the provisional list published, it is always open for her to submit her bjection to the same placing reliance on the circulars at Annexure-F dated 23.09.2017 and at Annexure-F1 dated 03.12.2022. Accordingly, they pray to dismiss the petition. -6-
NC: 2026:KHC-K:2274 WP No. 200042 of 2025 HC-KAR
6. It is not in dispute that petitioner was appointed as an Anganwadi Assistant of Hegdapur Anganwadi Center on 05.10.2018. The circulars issued by the State at Annexure-F dated 23.09.2017 and at Annexure-F1 dated 03.12.2022 provides for eligibility criteria for appointment to the post of Anganwadi Worker. It also states that in the event any Anganwadi Assistant, who has passed SSLC has completed six years of service and also hails from the very same village is available, she should be given preference over the other candidates. According to the petitioner, she has all the eligibility criteria to be appointed to the post of Anganwadi Worker of Chandramaharaj Thanda, Hegdapur village and ignoring her candidature, the respondent Nos.2 to 4 could not have called for applications from other candidates. If the petitioner has any such grievance, it is for her to file her objections before the competent authorities opposing the provisional select list, which is now published by the respondent Nos.2 to 4 and if any such objection is filed, the same shall be considered in the -7- NC: 2026:KHC-K:2274 WP No. 200042 of 2025 HC-KAR light of the Government circulars at Annexure-F dated 23.09.2017 and at Annexure-F1 dated 03.12.2022 and appropriate orders shall be passed. Accordingly, the following :
ORDER
i) Writ petition is disposed of reserving liberty to the petitioner to file appropriate objections to the provisional select list dated 12.11.2024 at Annexure-E and if any such objection is filed within the period of 15 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order, the said objection shall be considered and disposed of in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, but not later than a period of two months thereafter.
Sd/-
(S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE SN/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 59 Ct:pk