Karnataka HC stays govt’s decision to create 2 new categories of quota for Panchamasalis, Vokkaligas

Vartha Bharati | 12-01-2023 | 22:11:00 IST

Bengaluru, Jan 12: The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday stayed the creation of two new categories of reservation by the State government for the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities and ordered status quo on the matter.

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice PB Varale stayed the new categories and ordered status quo. The hearing of the PIL challenging the creation of the new categories has been adjourned to January 30.

The government, in the recently concluded Assembly session in Belagavi, had announced the creation of the two new categories: 2C and 2D to include the Lingayats and Vokkaligas in it.

The Panchamasali caste of Lingayats has been demanding inclusion in the 2A category. The State has four categories of OBC: 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B based on the economic, social and educational status. These communities get preferential reservation in jobs and educational institutions based on the categories. While 2A are the most backward, 2B are moderate, and little above them are 3A and 3B.

The two dominant communities -- Vokkaliga and Panchamasalis -- which are in 3A and 3B category have been demanding reservations under 2A status, and the government decided to abolish 3A and 3B categories. The government decided to create two new categories of 2C and 2D. Those who are presently 3A and 3B would now find place in 2C and 2D.

The BJP government decided to do away with the 3A and 3B categories based on the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes in a report. The interim report submitted to the government by the Commission recently was challenged through a public interest litigation (PIL). The PIL filed by D G Raghavendra had claimed that the Commission's interim report had recommended inclusion of Panchamashali caste in the 2A Category.

However, such a demand was rejected by the Commission in 2000 itself. The petition had sought placing the interim report of the panel before the court. Before this, the government announced the creation of the new categories.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

Assam govt moves SC against anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera

13-04-2026 ¦ 13-04-2026 IST

Photo: PTI

New Delhi (PTI): The Assam government has moved the Supreme Court against the Telangana High Court order granting one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case registered against him for levelling allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.

The petition was filed on Sunday through advocate Shuvodeep Roy and is likely to be taken up for hearing this week.

On April 10, the high court granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Khera.

The high court gave him a week's time to file an application before the court concerned and granted him relief with certain conditions.

"Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this court is of the view that the petitioner has made out a case for grant of limited transit anticipatory bail, as his apprehension of arrest appears to be reasonable and supported by material on record," the high court had said in its order.

The conditions were that the petitioner shall be released on bail in the event of arrest on his executing a personal bond for Rs one lakh with two sureties for the like sum each, cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for interrogation as and when required by the Investigating Officer and that he shall not leave the country without prior permission of the competent Court.

The conditions further include that the petitioner shall, within the stipulated period, approach the competent jurisdictional court in Assam and seek appropriate relief and he, being a public figure, shall exercise restraint in making any further public statements in relation to the subject matter of the present case, which may prejudice the investigation, the order said.

The Congress leader on April 5 had alleged that the Assam CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, has multiple passports and foreign property, which were not declared in the chief minister's election affidavit for the April 9 Assembly polls in that state.

The case against Khera was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under several sections of the BNS, including 175 (false statement in connection with an election), 35 (Right of private defence of the body and of property) and 318 (cheating).

Khera, who approached the high court on April 7, showed his residential address in Hyderabad. He had requested the high court to release him on bail in the event of his arrest.