Can't Interfere In Kannada University's Freedom To Confer Awards: Karnataka High Court Rejects PIL Against 'Nadoja' Honour To HC Sathyan

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (April 07) refused to entertain a plea by Committee For Public Accountability against conferment of Nadoja honorary degree to state information commissioner HC Sathyan by Kannada University.

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha held that the court cannot interfere in the independence of the university to confer award on anyone.

“…The PIL has been filed for a direction to set aside the decision of first respondent[Kannada University] to confer an award on the 2^nd Respondent[H.C Sathyan]. The award has already been conferred on the 34^th Annual Convocation held on 24.02.2026. Hence, the petition does not survive. Also, the court cant interfere in the independence of the university to confer the award on anyone. No fundamental rights or statutory rights of the petitioner or any class of persons have been violated….”, the court noted while dismissing the PIL filed by the organisation.

As per reports, on the 34^th Annual Convocation of Kannada University in Hampi, Karnataka State Information Commissioner H.C Sathyan was conferred with the prestigious Nadoja honorary degree. The degree/award is usually presented to eminent personalities for their contributions to Kannada language, literature, culture, and social service etc.

After the court dictated the order, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that he was not exactly questioning the suitability of the person; he was just objecting to the 'glorification of corruption'.

Not taking kindly to such a remark, the court warned the counsel that if he argues more on the matter, the court will impose cost.

“You are not the one giving the award… He [H.C.Sathyan] has not been convicted… Don't make more allegations”, the court orally said.

The plea, also had a prayer to the effect that if the award has already been conferred on the second respondent-public servant, the court may direct the University to withdraw the said honorary degree. The court refused to entertain such a request made by the petitioner organisation. The PIL also sought a direction to be made to the University to examine the criminal antecedents of the person about to be conferred with the Nadoja award.

In 2023, the Karnataka High Court had issued notice to the state government in a plea seeking removal of Sathyan as the state's information commissioner. The petition had alleged that there were criminal proceedings pending against him for possessing disproportionate assets under the Prevention of Corruption Act, initiated by the Lokayukta police.

Case Title: Committee For Public Accountability (Regd) v. Kannada Univeristy Hampi & Anr.

Case No: WP 6414/2026