New Delhi, Sept. 25 -- The Karnataka High Court declined on Thursday to stay the ongoing social and educational survey, popularly known as the caste survey. The court directed the state government to maintain confidentiality of data and maintain that the survey should be voluntary.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi said they "do not find reason to interdict the ongoing survey".

"We, however, state that the data collected shall not be disclosed to anyone. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes [KSCBC] shall ensure that data is fully protected and confidential," news agency PTI cited the Karnataka High Court bench as saying.

The judges also directed the KSCBC to issue public notification ...