Karnataka HC issues notice on plea against Disabilities Commissioner appointment

A view of the High Court of Karnataka.

The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday ordered notice to the State government on a petition challenging the appointment of Venkataramanaswamy S.V. as the State Commissioner for Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav passed the order on the petition filed by Praveen Ullagaddi, a 43-year-old advocate and disability rights activist from Belagavi, who has 80% permanent locomotor disability.

The petitioner, who was an aspirant to the post, termed the selection process “opaque, arbitrary and non-transparent.” Dr. Venkataramanaswamy was appointed to the post on October 31.

It has been stated in the petition that the post fell vacant on March 5, 2026, and was advertised on March 7 in English and Kannada newspapers pursuant to Section 79 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The petitioner, who is the president of the State Divyan Para-Valley Association of Karnataka and a two-term vice-president of the Karnataka State Association for Physically Handicapped, applied on April 4.

The petition states that nearly 47 applications were received and that a search-cum-selection committee was constituted under Rule 31 of the Karnataka State Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2019. However, the petitioner claims he was never informed of subsequent selection proceedings or given any explanation for his non-selection.

“The entire process of the appointment is shrouded in mystery,” the petitioner claimed, while complaining that there was no disclosure of the committee’s composition, the shortlisting criteria, or the basis for selecting the appointee.

The petitioner contends that the selection violates Rule 31, which mandates a panel of three suitable candidates recommended by the committee, comprising at least one disabled member or caregiver. He argues that the appointment offends Article 14 of the Constitution and the principles of fairness and transparency.

The petitioner has sought a direction to the government to conduct the entire selection process afresh, considering his application.