Disposed

Sri. Manu Perumunda S v. the State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC3 Jul 2023WP/12982/2023

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This court disposed of a writ petition challenging the voter list for a co-operative society election. Noting that co-ordinate bench decisions and interim orders allowed petitioners to vote in the recently held election and results were declared, the court disposed of the petition directing aggrieved parties to pursue legal remedies.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of; parties aggrieved by results to pursue remedies available under law.

Sri. Manu Perumunda S Vs the State of Karnataka — Election Law | Karnataka HC (2023)

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1 - NC: 2023:KHC:22799 WP No. 12982 of 2023

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 3^RD DAY OF JULY, 2023

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R DEVDAS

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WRIT PETITION NO. 12982 OF 2023 (CS-EL/M)

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BETWEEN:

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SRI. MANU PERUMUNDA S S/O SURESH PERUMUNDA AGED 37 YEARS R/O PERUMUNDA HOUSE PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI AVIN P D S/O DAYANANDA P.K. AGED 37 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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Digitally signed by JUANITA THEJESWINI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

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SMT. KUSUMAVATI PERUMUDA D W/O DAYANANDA PERUMUNDA AGED 58 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. GIRIJA PERUMUNDA S W/O SURESH PERUMUNDA AGED 58 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. INDIRA PERUMUNDA V W/O VENKATARAMANA AGED 64 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI GIRISH KUMAR PERUMUNDA S/O VENKATARAMAN L. PERUMUNDA AGED 38 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI MOHITH H.G. S/O GOPALAKRISHNA H.S. HODDETTI AGED 30 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. SHIVAMMA HODDETTI W/O GOPALKRISHNA HODDETTI AGED 58 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI SATISH HODDETTI S S/O SANJIVA HODDETTI AGED 40 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. JAYANTI PEECHE V W/O VASANTHA PEECHE AGED 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. DAMAYANTI PEECHE N W/O NAGARAJA PEECHE

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AGED 50 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI LAVA PERUMUNDA S/O HUVAIAH PERUMUNDA AGED 65 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI KUSHA PERUMUNDA S/O HUVAPPA PERUMUNDA AGED 65 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI DAMODAR K.R. S/O RAMANNA KOLANGAYA AGED 70 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI SHIVANNA PEECHE U S/O UTTAIAH PEECHE AGED 80 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. SEETHAMMA PEECHE W/O JANARDHANA PEECHE AGED 80 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. SHESHAMMA HOSAGADDE W/O UKRAPPA HOSAGADDE AGED 78 YEARS

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PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI MANJUNATHA H.U. S/O HUKRAPPA HOSAGADDE AGED 43 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SMT. SUMATI PERUMUNDA G W/O GANGADHARA PERUMUNDA AGED 56 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU – 574314

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SRI JATTAPPA HODDETTI S/O BELLAPPA HODDETTI AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI JEEVITH NARKODU S S/O SESHAPPA NARKODU AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT PADMAVATI PERANGAJE B W/O BOJAPPA PERANGAJE AGED ABOUT 74 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI KURIACHHAN THOMAS S/O THOMAS AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT TEERTHAKSHI P Y W/O YUVANANDA P K PERANGAJE AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT VEDAVATI N C W/O CHANDRASHEKAR N R NEDCHILU AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI PADDMAIAH PERUMUNDA H S/O HUVAIAH PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI VASUDEVA PERUMUNDA S/O RAMANNA PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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ANUSUYA PERUMUNDA V W/O VASUDEVA PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUTG 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI PAVAN P D S/O DAYANANDA P K PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI HOOVAPPA PERUMUNDA S/O CHINNAPPA PERUMUNDA

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AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT DEVAKI PERUMUNDA H W/O HUVAPA PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT VIMALAKSHMI KASPADI J W/O JANARDHANA KASPADI AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI TIMMAPPA KUNDALPADI S/O VENKAPPA KUNDALPADI AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI YATISH KUNDALPADI T S/O TIMMAPPA V KUNDALPADI AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT DAMAYANTI KUNDALPADI T W/O TIMMAPPA KUNDALPADI AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT LATA P R W/O RAMACHANDRA P P PERUMNUNDA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS

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PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT LAVITA NEDCHILU K W/O KESHANA NEDCHULU AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT KAMALA PERUMUNDA P W/O PADMAIAH PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI NAREDNRA P P S/O PADMAIAH PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT SULOCHANA P N W/O NARENDRA P P PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT LILAVATI NIDYAMALE P W/O PURUSHOTHAMA NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT PADMAKSHI KUNTEKANA W/O UMESHA KUNTEKANA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI

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NC: 2023:KHC:22799 WP No. 12982 of 2023

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KODAGU-574314

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SRI MANOJ KUNTEKANA U S/O UMESHA KUNTEKANA AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI KESHAVA NIDYAMALE S/O CHANGAPPA NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT SUNDARI NIDYAMALE K W/O KESHAVA N C NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI SHYAMPRASAD S K S/O KESHAVA N C NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI MANUPRASAD S K S/O KESHAVA N C NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT VANITA N H W/O HARISHCHANDRA N G NIDYAMALE AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI TILAKA P P S/O PRATAP PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI MANISH P P

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S/O PRATAP PERUMUNDA AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI ABDULLA N K S/O KUUMADE NAMBARMULE AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI ABBAS D K S/O MOIDA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SRI CHANDRASHEKARA DASARAHITLU A S/O APPAKUI DASARAHITLU AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, PERAJE POST MADIKERI KODAGU-574314

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SMT NASEEMA P A W/O ASHRAF P M AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI ABDULLA GAFAR D A S/O AHMED KUTTI DASRAHITLU AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SMT DIVYA H U W/O UDAYABHASKAR H L HODDETTI AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI UKRAPPA NAIKA KUNDADU S/O KORAGAPPA NAIKA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI MOHAN B K S/O KUSHALAPPA BANGARADKODI AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SMT NAMITA MOHAN B W/O MOHAN BNGARKODI AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI SUNDARA KUDIYA K T S/O TINGALA HAALEKADU AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS PEERAJE POST, MADIKERE KODAGU 574314

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SRI JAYARAMA PEECHE D

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S/O DEVAPPA PEECHE AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI DAYANANDA BELLIPPADHI K S/O KRISHNAPPA BELLIPPADI AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SMT UMAVATHI B D W/O DAYANANDA BELLIPADI AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI GANAPAIAH K A S/O ANNAKUSU KUNTUKADU AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI BALAKRISHNA NAIKA KUNDADU S/O BUDDA NAIKE KUNDADU AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI KUSHALAPPANAIKA C K S/O KALU NAIKA CHAMAKAJE AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI GUDDAPPA NAIKA K V S/O VENKAPPA NAIKA

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AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI SESHAPPA NAIKA A S/O APPU NAIKA KANDADU AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI TIMMAPPA BELLIPPADI S/O MOHAPPA BELLIPPADI AGED ABOUT 75 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI MUKUNDA PEECHE S/O SANNAIAH PEECHE AGED 56 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI KODAGU 574314

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SRI MUDDAPPA BANGARAKODI S/O DODDANNA BANGARAKODI AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SMT YASHODA B.M. W/O MUDDAPPA BANGARAKODI AGED ABOUT 76 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SRI GANESHA P.M. S/O MUDDAIAH PEECHE AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS

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PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SMT JALAJAKSHI K.N. W/O NAGESH KARIMBI AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SMT SANDHYA K.P. W/O PREMACHANDRA KUDKULI AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SMT. JAYASHREE Y.L. W/O LOKAIAH YAPARE AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SRI BHAVANISHANKAR K.P. S/O PRABHAKARA KODI AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SMT. JAYASHREE B.A. W/O. BHAVANISHANKAR K.P.KODI AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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SRI. BHOJAPPA PERANGAJE S/O RAMANNA PERANGAJE AGED ABOUT 76 YEARS

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PERAJE POST, MADIKERI, KODAGU - 574 314

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…PETITIONERS

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(BY SMT. LEELA P DEVADIGA., ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CO OPERATION M S BUILDING DR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU-560001

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THE CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY 3^RD FLOOR, TTMC A-BLOCK, SHANTHINAGAR, BENGALURU-560001

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THE DISTRICT LEVEL ELECTION OFFICER AND DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF

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CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, MADIKERI, KODAGU DISTRICT, KODAGU – 571201

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THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES MADIKERI, KODAGU DISTRICT, KODAGU- 571201

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THE RETURNING OFFICER APPOINTED FOR THE PERAJE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOCIETY, PERAJE PACCS LTD, KUMBLACHERRY, PERAJE POST, KODAGU- 574318

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THE PERAJE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL CREDITY SOCIETY LIMITED,

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AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOCIETY, PERAJE PACCS LTD. KUMBLACHERRY, PERAJE POST, KODAGU- 574318

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PERAJE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL, CREDITY SOCIETY LIMITED, PERAJE PACCS LTD. KUMBLACHERRY, PERAJE POST, KODAGU- 574318

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THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER THE PERAJE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOCIETY LIMITED, AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOCIETY, PERAJE PACCS LTD. KUMBLACHERRY, PERAJE POST, KODAGU- 574318

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SMT. A.R. SHARADAMBA, AGA FOR R1, R3 & R4 SRI. T.L. KIRAN KUMAR., ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R5)

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THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO CALL FOR RECORDS AND QUASH THE IMPUGNED LIST ISSUED BY THE R-8 QUASTH IN RESPECT OF THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERNED, A COPY OF WHICH IS HEREIN PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE-C, DTD 25.06.2023 AS ILLEGAL AND VOID AND ETC.

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THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:

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ORDER

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R.DEVDAS J., (ORAL):

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Learned Additional Government Advocate submits

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that the issue stands covered by a decision of the co-ordinate Bench in the case of H.S.Raju And Others Vs. The State of Karnataka and Others in W.P.No.8502/2022 and connected matter dated

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07.06.2022.

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Learned Additional Government Advocate submits

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that in the said case also, the petitioners who were members of the co-operative Society were aggrieved of their non-inclusion in the eligible voters list and therefore, they had approached this Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to include their names in the eligible voters list and to permit them to vote in the elections to the Co-operative Societies Board in terms of the provisional list of eligible voters.

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Learned Additional Government Advocate submits

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that during the course of those proceedings, this Court

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had directed that the writ petitioners shall be permitted to

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cast their votes in the election but on the condition that the votes cast by the petitioners shall be kept in separate boxes and the results shall not be announced without the order of this Court. The co-ordinate Bench thereafter proceeded to consider the issue as to whether the writ petitions must be disposed of directing the Returning Officer to announce the results of the elections including the votes cast by the petitioners.

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Having regard to the provisions contained in Rule 13-D (2-A) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Rules, 1960, wherein the provision mandates calling for objections, if any, from the defaulter member and having regard to the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sri Sant Sadguru Janardan Swami (Moingiri Maharaj) Sahakari Dugdha Utpadak Sanstha and Another Vs. State of Maharashtra and others reported

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in (2001) 8 SCC 509 , the co-ordinate Bench held that if the name of a member is excluded or sought to be

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excluded from the eligible voters list, he or she must have an opportunity by way of an individual notice to file objections on exclusion from the electoral list.

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On facts, it was found that a public notice published declaring it as a notice to the members, would not meet the requirements of the relevant provision. Further, having regard to the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court that Courts should not stay the continuation of the election process even though there may be some alleged illegality or breach of rules while preparing the electoral roll and having regard to the fact that the writ petitioners were permitted to cast their votes, the co-ordinate bench proceeded to dispose of the writ petition directing the Returning Officer to announce the result forthwith including the votes cast by the writ petitioners. All other contentions were left open for consideration in appropriate proceedings in terms of the law governing the process of elections.

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Learned Additional Government Advocate would therefore submit that this writ petition too may be disposed of in similar terms.

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In the present case, it is seen that by an interim order dated 23.06.2023, this Court permitted the petitioners to cast their votes in the election which were held on 25.06.2023.

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It is therefore clear that the petitioners were permitted to cast their votes and their votes were also counted and the results have already been announced. Therefore, the learned Additional Government Advocate is right in her submission that this writ petition too can be disposed of in similar terms.

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Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of while directing that if the contesting respondents or any other member of the Society is aggrieved of the results, he or she may pursue the remedy available in accordance with law, as was directed in the case of H.S.Raju (supra).

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