K v. Renuka Murthy v the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru (NC: 2025:KHC:25636), WP No. 17121 of 2024 (CS-EL/M), decided 10.07.2025 by Suraj Govindaraj J. Co-operative society election - ineligible voter - writ under Articles 226 and 227 - Article 226 not the proper remedy for disputes on voter eligibility/ineligibility and final electoral list deficiencies - remedy lies under Section 70(2), Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959, after announcement of results - votes of petitioners counted and kept in separate ballot box - Returning Officer to announce result within seven days - contentions left open - follows H.S.Raju vs. State of Karnataka & others, W.P.No.8502/2022 dated 7.6.2022.
What did the court decide?
Writ petitions disposed of; Returning Officer directed to announce the result within seven days of receipt of a copy of the order, taking into account the votes cast by the petitioners; all contentions left open for any proceeding under Section 70(2) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959; votes cast by the petitioners to continue to be retained in a separate box until disposal of any such dispute.