This writ petition challenged the election list of a cooperative society. The court noted the respondents' undertaking to conclude the election process by 10-06-2025 and disposed of the petition without expressing an opinion on merits.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 4978 OF 2019 (CS-EL/M)
BETWEEN:
PRESIDENT, YALIYURU MILK PRODUCERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., R/O YALIYURU, CHANNAPATNA TALUK, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT.
Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA
Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. M.R. RAJGOPAL, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR SRI. H.N. BASAVARAJU, ADVOCATE)
AND:
DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION, M.S. BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001.
AND DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT, RAMANAGARA.
BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
RESPONDENT NOS.6 TO 22 ARE ALL R/O YALIYURU VILLAGE, CHANNAPATNA TALUK, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. YOGESH D. NAIK, AGA FOR R1 AND R3; SRI. M. JAI PRAKASH REDDY, ADVOCATE FOR R14 TO R21; SRI. T.L. KIRAN UMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2; NOTICE TO R4 HELD SUFFICIENT; R5 TO R13, R15 TI R20 , R22 - SERVED AND UNREPRESENTED)
THIS W.P IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE LIST PUBLISHED BY THE R-4 RETURNING OFFICER DATED
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
24.1.2019 IN FORM-XIV AS PER ANNEXURE-H IN TERMS OF RULE 14-B[4] OF THE KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES RULES IN SO FAR AS R-6 TO 22 ARE CONCERNED AND ALSO THE ENDORSEMENT DATED 24.1.2019 OF THE R-4 ON ANNEXURE-G AND ETC.,
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ
ORAL ORDER
1. The petitioner initially approached this Court seeking the following reliefs:
"a) Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other writ to quash the list published by the 4th respondent Returning Officer dated 24-01-2019 in Form XIV as per Annexure-H in terms of Rule 14B(4) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Rules in so far as respondent Nos.6 to 22 are concerned and also the endorsement dated 24-01 2019 of the 4th respondent on Annexure-G
b) Declare that the clarifications issued by the Cooperative Election Commission in relating to the process of election in terms of the proceedings dated 19-01-2019 as per Annexure-E is binding and enforceable in view of Sections 39-A and 39AA of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959;
c) Pass any appropriate writ, order or direction as this Hon'ble Court deem it fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case and allow these Writ Petitions with costs, in the ends of justice and equity.
d) Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari to quash the publication dated 31-01-2019 of respondent No.4 as per Annexure-R,
e) Issue a writ of mandamus directing respondent No.4 Returning Officer to convene a meeting of the elected members of the Managing Committee of respondent No.5 society enable to elect the office bearers like Chair Person, Vice Chairperson and other office bearers as provided under Section 29-F of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, in terms of the request dated 0802-2019 made under Annexure-N, forthwith."
order dated 11.02.2020. Today memo has been filed by the learned counsel for respondent No.2 enclosing the letter dated 08.11.2024, addressed by the Assistant Registrar to the Deputy Registrar and another letter dated 08.11.2024, addressed by the Assistant Registrar to the Commissioner of the Karnataka State Co-Operative Election Authority, which reads as under:
"�ೕಲ�ಂಡ �ಷಯ�ೆ� ಸಂಬಂ��ದಂ�ೆ ಉ�ೆ�ೕ�ತ ಪತ�ದ�� �ಾನ� ಉಚ! "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ $% ಅ'( ಸಂ)ೆ� :4978/2019 �ೆ� ಸಂಬಂ��ದಂ�ೆ ಯ�ಯೂರು -ಾಲು ಉ�ಾ.ದಕರಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘ 2 .. �ರು3ಾ4ಪ5ರ -ೋಬ6 , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ �ಾಲೂ�ಕು ಇದರ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವಸಂಬಂಧ2ಗAಪB� �ಾCDಸ��ಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFರುತGHೆ . ಈ CಂHೆ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಆಡ6ತ ಮಂಡ6ಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆಯು A"ಾಂಕ :31-01-2019 ರಂದು 2ಗ�#ಾFರುತGHೆ . ( ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
LೇMಾಪN9 ಲಗDG�Hೆ ) ಆದOೆ �ಾರ=ಾಂತರಗ6ಂದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ಜರುFರುವ5Aಲ� , ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ Qೌರವ ಉಚ! "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ�� $% ಅ'( ಸಂ)ೆ� :4978/2019 Hಾಖ�ಾFದುT ಪ�ಸುGತ �Uಾರ=ೆ Uಾ�Gಯ��ರುತGHೆ .
ಯ�ಯೂರು -ಾಲು ಉ�ಾ.ದಕರ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘ 2 ., �ರು3ಾ4ಮರ -ೋಬ6 , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ �ಾಲೂ�ಕು , ಉಮನಗರ '�ೆ� ಈ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ 2ಗ�ಪB� D6ಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFರುವ C"ೆ7�ೆಯ�� ಸಹ�ಾರ ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ 3ಾ���ಾರ , VೆಂಗಳXರು ರವರ ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (2) ರ ಸು�ೊGೕ�ೆಯನYಯ 2ಯಮ 13 B (2- ಎ ) ರಂ�ೆ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ 195 Aನಗಳ[ Vಾ\ ಇರುLಾಗ ಅನಹ( ಸದಸ�$Qೆ "ೋNೕಸು 2ೕB �YೕಕೃತLಾದ ಅಹLಾಲುಗಳನು7 ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ��ಾ$Qೆ ಸ� � 2ಯ�ಾನು^ಾರ �Uಾರ=ೆ ನ>ೆ� ��ೇQೊ6ಸಲು ಕ�ಮಎಟು9 ಕರಡು / ಅಂDಮ ಮತHಾರರ ಪN9ಯನು7 �ದ_ಪB� ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFHೆ . ಮತುG ಕ"ಾ(ಟಕ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ ಅ�2ಯಮ 1959 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ¤AiÀĪÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ 1960 ¤AiÀĪÀÄ 13 r (2- J ) gÀ£ÀéAiÀÄ 195 ¢£ÀUÀ¼À ¥ÀƪÀðzÀ°è C£ÀºÀðjUÉ "ೋNೕಸು `ಾ$ �ಾB , ಮತHಾರರ ಪN9 �ದ_ಪB� ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ಪ�\�aಯನು7 ನ>ೆಸVೇ�ಾFರುವ5ದ$ಂದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ9ಂ�ೆ �ದ_�ೆಗಳನು7 �ಾB�ೊಳbಲು ಒಳQೊಂಡಂ�ೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶ A"ಾಂಕAಂದ (195+15) ಒಟು9 210 Aನಗಳ �ಾ�ಾವ�ಾಶ ಆವಶ�ಕ�ೆ ಇರುತGHೆ . ಆದT$ಂದ ಸದ$ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ :10-06-2025 ರ ಒಳQೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶದನYಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಮುಂAನ ಕ�ಮ�ಡ�ಾಗುವ5Hೆಂಬ ಅಂಶವನು7 ತಮf ಅವQಾಹ"ೆQೆ ಸ��ಸು�ಾG , �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಗಮನ�ೆ� ತಂದು $% ಅ'(ಯನು7 ��ೇQೊ6ಸಲು �gಾರಸುh �ಾಡಲು ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (3) ರ ಪತ�ದ�� ಸಂಘದ ಮುಖ��ಾಯ(2Lಾ(ಹಕರು �ೋ$ರುವಂ�ೆ ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (4) ರ ಪತ�ದ�� igಾರಸುh �ಾBಈಕjೇ$Qೆ ಸ� � ರು�ಾGOೆ .
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
ಆದುದ$ಂದ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ9ಂ�ೆ �ದ_�ೆಗಳನು7 �ಾB�ೊಳbಲು ಒಳQೊಂಡಂ�ೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶ A"ಾಂಕAಂದ (195+15) ಒಟು9 210 Aನಗಳ �ಾ�ಾವ�ಾಶ ಅವಶ�ಕ�ೆ ಇರುತGHೆ . ಆದT$ಂದ ಸದ$ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ :10-06-2025 ರ ಒಳQೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶದನYಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಮುಂAನ ಕ�ಮ�ಡ�ಾಗುವ5Hೆಂಬ ಅಂಶವನು7 ತಮf ಅವQಾಹ"ೆQೆ ಸ� � Hೆ ."
"�ೕಲ�ಂಡ �ಷಯ�ೆ� ಸಂಬಂ��ದಂ�ೆ ಉ�ೆ�ೕ�ತ ಪತ�ದ�� �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ $% ಅ'( ಸಂ)ೆ� :4978/2019 �ೆ� ಸಂಬಂ��ದಂ�ೆ ಯ�ಯೂರು -ಾಲು ಉ�ಾ.ದಕರಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘ 2 .. �ರು3ಾ4ಪ5ರ -ೋಬ6 , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ �ಾಲೂ�ಕು ಇದರ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ 2ಗAಪB� �ಾCD ಸ��ಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFರುತGHೆ . ಈ CಂHೆ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಆಡ6ತ ಮಂಡ6ಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆಯು A"ಾಂಕ :31-01-2019 ರಂದು 2ಗ�#ಾFರುತGHೆ . ( ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ LೇMಾಪN9 ಲಗDG�Hೆ ) ಆದOೆ �ಾರ=ಾಂತರಗ6ಂದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ಜರುFರುವ5Aಲ� . ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ Qೌರವ ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ�� $% ಅ'( ಸಂ)ೆ� :4978/2019 Hಾಖ�ಾFದುT ಪ�ಸುGತ�Uಾರ=ೆ Uಾ�Gಯ��ರುತGHೆ .
ಯ�ಯೂರು -ಾಲು ಉ�ಾ.ದಕರ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘ 2 . �ರು3ಾ4ಪ5ರ -ೋಬ6 , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ �ಾಲೂ�ಕು , Oಾಮನಗರ '�ೆ� ಈ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ 2ಗ�ಪB� D6ಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFರುವ C"ೆ7�ೆಯ�� ಸಹ�ಾರ ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ 3ಾ���ಾರ , VೆಂಗಳXರು ರವರ ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (2) ರ ಸು�ೊGೕ�ೆಯನYಯ 2ಯಮ 13 B (2- ಎ ) ರಂ�ೆ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ 195 Aನಗಳ[ Vಾ\ ಇರುLಾಗ ಅನಹ( ಸದಸ�$Qೆ "ೋNೕಸು 2ೕB �YೕಕೃತLಾದ ಅಹLಾಲುಗಳನು7 ಚು"ಾವ=ಾ��ಾ$Qೆ ಸ� � 2ಯ�ಾನು^ಾರ �Uಾರ=ೆ ನ>ೆ� ��ೇQೊ6ಸಲು ಕ�ಮ�ಟು9 ಕರಡು / ಅಂDಮ ಮತHಾರರ ಪN9ಯನು7 �ದ_ಪB� ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಸೂEಸ�ಾFHೆ . ಮತುG ಕ"ಾ(ಟಕ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ ಅ�2ಯಮ 1959 ಮತುG 2ಯಮಗಳ[ 1960
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
2ಯಮ 13 B (2- ಎ ) ರನYಯ 195 Aನಗಳ ಪkವ(ದ�� ಅನಹ($Qೆ "ೋNೕಸು `ಾ$ �ಾB , ಮತHಾರರ ಪN9 �ದ_ಪB� ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ಪ�\�aಯನು7 ನ>ೆಸVೇ�ಾFರುವ5ದ$ಂದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ9ಂ�ೆ �ದ_�ೆಗಳನು7 �ಾB�ೊಳbಲು ಒಳQೊಂಡಂ�ೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚ! "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶ A"ಾಂಕAಂದ (195+15) ಒಟು9 210 Aನಗಳ �ಾ�ಾವ�ಾಶ ಅವಶ�ಕ�ೆ ಇರುತGHೆ . ಆದT$ಂದ ಸದ$ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ :10-06-2025 ರ ಒಳQೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚ! "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶದನYಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಮುಂAನ ಕ�ಮ�ಡ�ಾಗುವ5Hೆಂಬ ಅಂಶವನು7 ತಮf ಅವQಾಹ"ೆQೆ ಸ��ಸು�ಾG , �ಾನ� ಉಚ! "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಗಮನ�ೆ� ತಂದು $% ಅ'(ಯನು7 ��ೇQೊ6ಸಲು igಾರಸುh �ಾಡಲು ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (3) ರ ಪತ�ದ�� ಸಂಘದ ಮುಖ��ಾಯ(2Lಾ(ಹಕರು ಮತುG ಉ�ೆ�ೕಖ (4) ರ ಪತ�ದ�� ಸಹ�ಾರ ಅlವೃA_ ಅ��ಾ$ , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ �ಾಲೂ�ಕು , ಚನ7ಪಟ9ಣ ಇವರುಗಳ[ �ೋ$ರುವಂ�ೆ igಾರಸುh �ಾB ಈ ಕjೇ$Qೆ ಸ� � ರು�ಾGOೆ .
ಆದುದ$ಂದ ಸಹ�ಾರ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಚು"ಾವ=ೆQೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ9ಂ�ೆ �ದ_�ೆಗಳನು7 �ಾB�ೊಳbಲು ಒಳQೊಂಡಂ�ೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶ A"ಾಂಕAಂದ (195+15) ಒಟು9 210 Aನಗಳ �ಾ�ಾವ�ಾಶ ಅವಶ�ಕ�ೆ ಇರುತGHೆ . ಆದT$ಂದ ಸದ$ ಸಂಘದ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ A"ಾಂಕ :10-06-2025 ರ ಒಳQೆ �ಾನ� ಉಚd "ಾ�#ಾಲಯದ ಆHೇಶದನYಯ ಚು"ಾವ=ೆ ನ>ೆಸಲು ಮುಂAನ ಕ�ಮ�ಡ�ಾಗುವ5Hೆಂಬ ಅಂಶವನು7 ತಮf ಅವQಾಹ"ೆQೆ ಸ� � Hೆ ."
3. Relying on both the above letters, his submission is
that the process of election will be commenced and the entire process completed by 10.06.2025, as stated in the enclosed letters. The grievance of the
NC: 2024:KHC:45833 WP No. 4978 of 2019
petitioner stands answered. Therefore, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the
matter, all grounds are left open to be deliberately, if
at all required, decided in the future matter.
With the above observations, the petition
stands disposed of .
Sd/(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE
HDK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 22 CT: BHK
1 issue framed by the court
Whether the grievance regarding the delay in the election process is answered by the department's undertaking to complete it by 10-06-2025.
Sri. B. Swamy
Sri. Y.C. Mahadevu
Sri. Venkatesh
The State of Karnataka
The Cooperative Election Commission
Sri. R. Sridhara
Suraj Govindaraj
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
