BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the state government on a petition challenging the appointment of Dr Venkataramanaswamy S V as the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav passed the order on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by Praveen Ullagaddi, an advocate from Belagavi and president of the State Divyan Para-Valley Association of Karnataka.
Ullagaddi has challenged the government notification dated October 31, 2026, appointing Venkataramanaswamy to the post. The petition alleges that the selection process was opaque and arbitrary, with no disclosure of the search-cum-selection committee or the criteria used to shortlist candidates.
The petitioner has contended that the process was prima facie contrary to Rule 32 of the Karnataka State Rules for Persons with Disabilities, 2018.
According to the petition, Ullagaddi had applied for the post following a government advertisement issued on March 7, 2026. He claimed to have relevant experience in disability welfare and the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
He alleged that despite being an eligible applicant, he was not informed about the subsequent selection proceedings, called to participate in the process or given an explanation for his non-selection.
The High Court has sought the state government’s response to the petition. The notice does not amount to a finding on the validity of the appointment.
With inputs from media reports