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The Karnataka High Court has heard three connected writ petitions regarding the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council operations on July 13, 2026. These are on election notification, member nominations, and administrator appointment. The matters were taken up together, given that they involved common and overlapping questions relating to the Council’s governance and statutory administration.
The judgement order has now insisted issue of a fresh notification for nominations within two weeks which is the stipulated time given to the state government, the respondent to this case.
The State Department of Health and Family Welfare in April 2025, had appointed the Commissioner as the Administrator of the Council following several complaints alleging maladministration and financial mismanagement in the affairs of the Council. The decision then to dissolve the Council and appoint an Administrator was taken in public interest to restore transparency, accountability and proper administration in the functioning of the Council.
Of the three orders, the first is regarding the Administrative Officer. The government had appointed an Administrative Officer for which the present members had gone for an appeal. Now, the government asked the Administrative Officer who is the Karnataka FDA commissioner Sinivas K to continue.
The second is with regards to filing a fresh notification for the nomination. The third matter pertains to the elections to the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council. In this regard, the notification issued by the former Returning Officer for the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, Sowmya Gowda, continues to remain in force.
However, Sowmya Gowda has since been transferred to another department, and consequently, she is no longer available to continue with the responsibilities associated with the election process. Therefore, the government is working to appoint a new Election Officer to oversee and carry forward the remaining election-related proceedings in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions and administrative requirements of the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council.
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