The Karnataka High Court, while hearing petitions challenging the State government’s ongoing Socio-Economic and Academic Survey (caste survey), has refused to halt the exercise but imposed safeguards. A Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi clarified that participation in the survey must be strictly voluntary, and any data collected shall remain confidential.
The Court directed the State Backward Classes Commission to ensure full protection of the information gathered, and expressly prohibited disclosure of survey data to any person.
The matter will be taken up further after responses from the State.