Thu Apr 10 18:38:25 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka High Court Rules University Professors Not Holders of Public Office
**Bengaluru, April 11, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the removal of a Bangalore University professor, M. Shivashankar, ruling that university professors do not hold public office. The court stated that professors, readers, and teachers, by the nature of their posts and duties, cannot be considered holders of public office, thus ineligible for a writ of quo warranto – a legal action to remove someone from office for lacking the necessary qualifications.
The PIL, filed by three petitioners including a retired Bangalore University professor, alleged that Mr. Shivashankar lacked the requisite qualifications for his position. While Bangalore University and the University Grants Commission (UGC) affirmed that his promotions adhered to regulations, the High Court did not delve into this aspect. Instead, the court focused on the nature of the professor’s position, dismissing the petition on the grounds that quo warranto only applies to public office holders.
The court further noted that the petitioners appeared to have personal motives, citing an affidavit from Mr. Shivashankar alleging ill-will and professional vengeance. One petitioner, a former department chairman, had even previously recommended Mr. Shivashankar for promotion. The court deemed the petition an abuse of the legal process and imposed a fine of ₹7,500 on the petitioners.
First Piper 