HC stops state from increasing internal quota for SC/STs

Recruitments that have begun can continue; Petitioners say Act violates SC’s 50% limit

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

THE Karnataka High Court on Monday restrained the state government from implementing the increase in reservation under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or posts in the services under the State) Act, 2022.

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha passed the interim order after hearing a batch of petitions, including a public interest litigation filed by Mahendra Kumar Mitra, challenging the provisions of the Act.

The court said that no further notifications for recruitment or appointments on the basis of increased reservation should be issued till the petitions are disposed of. Recruit-ments that have already begun may be continued, but appointments should be subject to the final outcome of the present petitions, the court said.