Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal Stays Suspension Of Govt Employee For Alleged Participation In RSS Event

The Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, Kalaburagi bench has stayed the order of suspension passed against Praveen Kumar KP, working as the PA to an MLA, for allegedly participating in an RSS event, wearing the uniform of the organisation.

The bench led by Judicial Member S Y Watawati, passed the interim order and directed the state to file its objections and posted the matter for further hearing on November 14.

The applicant has approached tribunal seeking to set aside the impugned Government Order dated 17/10/2025 issued by the the Commissioner, Karnataka Panchayat Commissionerate, placing the Applicant under suspension, purportedly in exercise of powers under Rule 10(1)(d) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957 (for short, "CCA Rules, 1957"). Commissioner, unlawfully.

It is claimed that the order placing the applicant under suspension for his participation in the centenary celebrations of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (for short, "RSS") on 12.10.2025 in Lingasugur, Raichur is based on a news report.

The bare perusal of order would indicate that it is one without jurisdiction, without any application of mind and without authority of law. The impugned Order has been passed in haste and by merely relying on television news program of a third party and without any independent applicant of mind by the Respondent No. 2 as to the applicability of the CCA Rules, 1957 to the facts at hand.

Further, the impugned order has been passed without recording any reasons as to why the Applicant must be placed in suspension for participating in a private non-political event. The suspension for participating in a private non-political event on a non-working day, l.e., 12.10.2025 (Sunday) and how the same would attract Rule 10(1)(d) of the CCA Rules.

It was also claimed that the order was passed in haste with which the Respondent No. 2 proceeded against the Applicant would indicate that the same is being pursued with an attempt to harass and browbeat the Applicant by misusing and abusing the process of law. placing the Applicant under suspension for his participation in the centenary celebrations of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (for short, "RSS") on 12.10.2025 in Lingasugur, Raichur.

Moreover, despite having an unblemished service record, the Applicant was suspended from his position as PA to MLA, Lingasugur Assembly Constituency by virtue of the impugned Order.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi along with LS Tejasvi Surya, Anirudh A Kulkarni, Akshay S Vasist & Vasista Ramprasad, Advocates for Applicant.

AAG Reuben Jacob along with Arati Patil & Sanna Yarrappa K for State.

Case Title: PraveenKumar K P AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: A.No. 20709/2025.