Leelavathi N. vs State Of Karnataka 2025 INSC 1242 -Writ Petition - Alternative Remedy - Tribunals
Constitution of India - Article 226- Where an efficacious alternative remedy is available, the High Court should not entertain a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in matters falling squarely within the domain of the Tribunals- a writ petition under Article 226 may still be maintainable notwithstanding the existence of such an alternative remedy in exceptional circumstances, including the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution; instances of ultra vires or illegal exercise of power by a statutory authority; violation of the principles of natural justice; or where the vires of the parent legislation itself is under challenge. (Para 36-37)
Case Info
Case Details
- Case name: Leelavathi N. and Ors. vs The State of Karnataka and Ors.
- Neutral citation: 2025 INSC 1242.
- Coram: Justice J.K. Maheshwari; Justice Vijay Bishnoi.
- Judgment date: 16 October 2025.
Caselaws and Citations
- L. Chandra Kumar vs. Union of India and Ors, (1997) 3 SCC 261.
- T.K. Rangarajan vs. Government of T.N. and Others, (2003) 6 SCC 581.
- Surinder Singh vs. Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala and Others, (2014) 15 SCC 767.
- Rajeev Kumar and Another vs. Hemraj Singh Chauhan and Others, (2010) 4 SCC 554.
- Nivedita Sharma vs. Cellular Operators Association of India and Others, (2011) 14 SCC 337.
- Thansingh Nathmal v. Supdt. of Taxes, AIR 1964 SC 1419.
- Titaghur Paper Mills Co. Ltd. v. State of Orissa, (1983) 2 SCC 433.
- Neville v. London Express Newspapers Ltd., 1919 AC 368 (HL).
- Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v. Gordon Grant and Co. Ltd., 1935 AC 532 (PC).
- Secy. of State v. Mask and Co., AIR 1940 PC 105.
- Mafatlal Industries Ltd. v. Union of India, (1997) 5 SCC 536.
- Whirlpool Corporation v. Registrar of Trade Marks, (1998) 8 SCC 1.
- Harbanslal Sahnia v. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., (2003) 2 SCC 107.
- Chand Ratan v. Durga Prasad, (2003) 5 SCC 399.
- Babubhai Muljibhai Patel v. Nandlal Khodidas Barot, (1974) 2 SCC 706.
- Rajasthan SEB v. Union of India, (2008) 5 SCC 632.
- PHR Invent Educational Society vs. UCO Bank and Others, (2024) 6 SCC 579.
Statutes/Laws Referred
- Constitution of India: Articles 226, 227, 32, 142; 323-A, 323-B; Article 141.
- Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985: Sections 15, 17, 22, 24, 27, 35, 36.
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Sections 123, 124.
- Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 1986: Rules 15, 17.
- Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (Contempt of Tribunal Proceedings) Rules, 1987.
- Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (Review Applications) Regulation, 1994.
- Government Order dated 12.12.1986 (Karnataka, referenced regarding certificates).
Where an efficacious alternative remedy is available, the High Court should not entertain a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in matters falling squarely within the domain of the Tribunals.#SupremeCourtofIndia https://t.co/W4S8AYHQ2e pic.twitter.com/CBMO5gbAcU
— CiteCase 🇮🇳 (@CiteCase) October 16, 2025
