Uliyaragoli Milk Producers Cooperative Society… — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2025)

Uliyaragoli Milk Producers Cooperative Society… — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Neither certiorari nor mandamus was granted; the petitions were disposed of on the record of submissions made by counsel for respondent No.4 and the learned AGA (Section 13D notice to be issued forthwith; elections to the two remaining constituent members to be completed within 210 days; election to respondent No.4 thereafter), with liberty reserved to the petitioners to agitate any other issues arising out of the election process. All pending applications stand disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether the communication dated 01.08.2024, No. 02/KAHAMA/ADALITHA-08/2024, issued by respondent No.4 (Annexure-J in WP No. 22240/2024; Annexure-K in WP No. 22250/2024) ought to be quashed by a writ of certiorari. +1 more

Ratio / Principle

The submissions recorded on behalf of respondent No.4 and the State — that elections to 14 of the constituted members of respondent No.4 federation had been held, that the Section 13D notice for the remaining two constituent members would be issued forthwith and those elections completed within 210 days, and that the election to respondent No.4 would thereafter be taken up — answer the grievance of the petitioners.

Key takeaways

On that record, the petitions stand disposed of, with liberty reserved to the petitioners to agitate any other issues that may arise out of the said election process.ratio¶¶108

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petitions (WP Nos. 22240 & 22250 of 2024, CS-EL/M) by member milk producers' cooperative societies registered under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959, and by individual directors of the Karnataka Co Operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd (respondent No.4), filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution seeking (i) certiorari to quash the Federation's communication No. 02/KAHAMA/ADALITHA-08/2024 dated 01.08.2024 (Annexure-J / Annexure-K) and (ii) mandamus to respondents 2, 3 and 4 to hold and conduct elections to respondent No.4 afresh by notice to all member district milk unions as per the State Government order dated 13.06.2024, complying Section 20(2)(a-iv)(a-v) of the KCS Act, 1959 and Rule 13D(2)(2-A) of the KCS Rules. At the hearing, counsel for respondent No.4 stated that the election to 14 of the constituted members of the Federation had been held, that elections in respect of two constituted members were yet to be held and notices under Section 13D of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Rules, 1960 were yet to be issued; the learned AGA submitted that the notice would be issued by the Administrator forthwith and that the elections to the two constituent members would be completed within 210 days (figure corrected vide Court Order dated 25.07.2025), whereafter the election to respondent No.4 would be taken up. Finding these submissions sufficient to answer the petitioners' grievance, the Court (Suraj Govindaraj J) disposed of the petitions on that record, reserving liberty to the petitioners to agitate any other issues arising out of the election process; all pending applications stood disposed of. NC: 2025:KHC:24800.

NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

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HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 8^TH DAY OF JULY, 2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 22240 OF 2024 (CS-EL/M)

C/W

WRIT PETITION NO. 22250 OF 2024 (CS-EL/M)

IN WP No. 22240/2024

BETWEEN:

ULIYARAGOLI MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD ULIYARAGOLI VILLAGE, KAPU TALUK,

UDUPI DISTRICT - 574 106 REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR KAPU DIWAKARA SHETTY S/O BABU SHETTY AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS

Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

KAPU DIWAKARA SHETTY S/O BABU SHETTY AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS DIRECTOR KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION LTD R/O KOTHWALAGUTTU HOUSE, ULIYARAGOLI VILLAGE, KAPU TALUK, UDUPI DISTRICT - 574 106

K.MUTTUKADAHALLI MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD K.MUTTUKADAHALLI VILLAGE, SHIDLAGHATTA TALUK, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT - 562 102

2 - NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR R.SRINIVAS S/O B.RAMAIAH AGE 51 YEARS

R.SRINIVAS S/O B RAMAIAH AGE 51 YEARS DIRECTOR KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION LTD R/O K. MUTTUKADAHALLI VILLAGE, CHEEMANGALA, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT - 562 102

MADHIHALLI MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD MADHIHALLI VILLAGE, THIPTUR TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT – 572 201 REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR M.K. PRAKASH S/O M.G. KUMARASWAMY AGE 60 YEARS

M.K. PRAKASH S/O M G KUMARASWAMY AGE 60 YEARS, DIRECTOR KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION , R/O MADHIHALLI K.R. EXTENSION TIPTUR TALUK, TUMAKUR DISTRICT – 572 201

THE PETITIONER NO. 1,3,5, SOCIETY ARE REGISTERED UNDER KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT- 1959) …PETITIONERS

(BY SRI. SANDESH.T.B, ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

3 - NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION M.S. BUILDING, DR B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

THE STATE CO OPERATIVE ELECTION COMMISSION 3^RD FLOOR, SHANTHI NAGAR, TTMC ‘A’ BLOCK, SHANTHINAGAR BANGALORE - 560 027 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY

REGIONAL COMMISSIONER AND ELECTION OFFICER BENGALURU REGION OFFICE OF REGIONAL COMMISSIONER, K.H.ROAD, 2^ND FLOOR, B M T C BUILDING BENGALURU.

KARNATAKA CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION LTD DR. MARIGOWDA ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 029 BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

DAKSHINA KANNADA CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LIMITED KULSHEKAR, MANGALURU - 575 005 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

KOLAR CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD., KOLAR DAIRY NATIONAL HIGHWAY NO 04, POST OFFICE NO 63, KOLAR - 566 102 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

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NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

TUMKUR DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD NATIONAL HIGHWAY - 206, MALLASANDRA, TUMKUR DISTRICT – 572 107 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

KOLAR DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCER'S SOCIETIES UNION LTD. KOLAR DAIRY, NATIONAL HIGHWAY NO.-4, POST OFFICE NO.63, KOLAR – 566 102, REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. RESPONDENT NO 4 TO 7 ARE ALL REGISTERED UNDER KARNATAKA CO OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT 1959) …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. A.S.HARISH, AGA FOR R1 &R3 (MA NOT FILED) SRI.T.L.KIRAN KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. SUMANTH.L.BHARADWAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R4; R-5 DAKSHINA KANNADA CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD R7- TUMKUR DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD SERVED)

THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH ANNX-J DTD. 01.08.2024 NO. 02/KAHAMA/ADALITHA-08/2024 ISSUED BY THE R-4 AND ETC.

IN WP NO. 22250/2024

BETWEEN:

JINKEBACHENAHHALI MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD JINKEBACHENAHALLI VILLAGE, DODDABALAPURA TALUK, BENGALURU URBAN DISTRICT

5 - NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR ANANDA KUMAR S/OPATALAPPA

AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS

ANAND KUMAR S/O PATALAPPA AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS DIRECTOR KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION LTD R/O JINEKEBACHENAHALLI VILLAGE, DODDABALAPURA TALUK,

ADVAI ANANDAEVANAHALLI MILK PRODUCERS CO OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD ADAVI ANANDAVENAHALLI HAGARI BOMMANAHALLI, VIJAYANAGARA DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR L.B.P BHEEMA NAIK S/O SATHYA NAIK AGED 49 YEARS

L.B.P BHEEMA NAIK S/O SATHYA NAIK AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS DIRECTOR KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION LTD R/O 3^RD WARD NEAR NEELAKANTESHWARA TEMPLE OLD HAGARIBOMMAHALLI VTC HAGARIMBOMMAHALLI HAGARIBOMMANAHALLI VIJAYANAGARA DISTRICT

YAADALAGATTE MILK PRODUCERS CO OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD YADALAGATTE, CHALLKERE TALUK, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR

6 - NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

VEERABHADRA BABU S/O CHELLURAIAH AGED 63YEARS

VEERABHDRA BAHU S/O CHELLURAIAH AGED 63 YEARS DIRECTOR KARANTAKA MILK FEDERATION R/O SRIRANGA H P ROAD THYAGARAJA NAGARA, CHELKERE, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT.

THIPAIKOPPA MILK PRODUCERS CO OPERATIVES SOCIETY LTD THIPAIKOPPA TALUK RATTIHALLI HAVERI DISTRICT REP BY ITS DIRECTOR HANUMANTHEGOWDA BASANAGOWDA BHARAMANANVAR S/O BASANAGOWDA BHARAMANANAVAR AGED 66YEARS

HANUMANTHEGOWDA BASANAGOWDA BHARAMANNAVAR S/O BASANAGOWDA BHARAMANNAVAR AGED 66 YEARS DIRECTOR OF THE KARNATAKA MILK FEDERATION LTD R/O THAIPPAIKOPPA POST MARSUR TQ RETTIHALLI DISTRICT HAVERI

(THE PETITIONER NO. 1,3,5,7 SOCIETY ARE REGISTERED UNDER KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT- 1959)

...PETITIONERS

(BY SRI. DEVI PRASAD SHETTY, ADVOCATE)

7 - NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF CO OPERATION M.S. BUILDING DR B.R. AMBEKDAR VEEDHI BENGALURU - 560 001 REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

THE STATE CO OPERATIVE ELECTION COMMISSION 3^RD FLOOR SHANTHI NAGAR TTMC A BLOCK, SHANTHI NAGAR, BANGALORE - 27 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY

REGIONAL COMMISSIONER AND ELECTION OFFICER BENGALURU REGION OFFICE OF REGIONAL COMMISSIONER K H ROAD, 2^ND FLOOR, BMTC BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 027

KARNATAKA CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION LTD DR.MARIGOWDA ROAD BANGALORE – 560 029 BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

BENGALURU DISTRICT BENGALURU RURAL AND RAMANAGARA DISTRICT

CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD DR M.H. MARIGOWDA ROAD BENGALURU – 560 029 REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

RAICHUR KOPPAL VIJAYANAGAR DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK

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NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD BELLARY DISTRICT SANJAY GANDHI NAGAR CANTONMENT BALLARI – 583 104 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

SHIVAMOGGA DAVANAGERE AND CHITRADURGA DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD MANHCEHANLLI POST SHIVAMOGGA - 577 222 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

HAVERI DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD SHIVALINGANAGAR SHIVALINGANAGAR

HAVERI – 581 110 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

(RESPONDENT NO 4 TO 8 ARE ALL REGISTERED UNDER KARNATAKA CO OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT 1959)

...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. A.S.HARISH, AGA FOR R1 &R3 (MA NOT FILED) SRI.T.L.KIRAN KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. SUMANTH.L.BHARADWAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R4 &R6; SRI.B.L. SANJEEV, ADVOCATE FOR R5 SRI.DAYANAND.S.PATIL ADVOCATE FOR R7 R8 - HAVERI DISTRICT CO OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS SOCIETIES UNION LTD HAVERI SERVED)

THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH ANNX-K DTD. 01.08.2024 NO. 02/KAHAMA/ADALITHA-08/2024 ISSUED BY THE R-4 AND ETC.

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NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ

ORAL ORDER

The petitioners are before this Court seeking for the following reliefs:

“IN WP.No. 22240/2024

i. Issue writ in the nature of certiorari quashing Annexure J dated 01.08.2024 No 02/ KAHAMA/ ADALITHA-08/2024 issued by the respondent no 4.

ii. Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent no 2,3 and 4 to hold and conduct the elections to the respondent no 4 as by issuing notice to the all the member district milk unions afresh as per the state government order dated 13.06.2024 produced at Annexure-H after complying section 20 (2)(a-iv)(a-v) of KCS Act 1959 and rule 13 D- ( 2)(2-A) of the KCS Rules.

iii. Grant such other relief/s as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the case in the interest of justice.

IN WP.No. 22250/2024

i. Issue writ in the nature of certiorari quashing Annexure-K dated 01/08/2024, No 02/ KAHAMA/ ADALITHA-08/2024 issued by the respondent no 4. in so far as petitioner concerned

ii. Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent no 2,3 and 4 to hold and conduct the elections to the respondent no 4 by issuing notice

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NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

to the all the member district milk unions afresh Vide.No, CO 34 CLM 2024 (E) Q as per the state government order, dated 13/06/2024 produced at Annexure J after complying section 20 (2)(a- iv)(av) of KCS Act 1959 and rule 13 D- ( 2)(2-A) of the KCS Rules.

iii. Grant such other relief/s as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the facts andw circumstances of the case in the interest of justice.”

Learned counsel for respondent No.4 submits that the

election to 14 of the constituted members of respondent No.4 federation had been held. The election in respect of two constituted members are yet to be held and notice under Section 13D of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Rules, 1960 are yet to be issued.

Learned AGA submits that the said notice would be issued by the Administrator forthwith and the matter be proceeded with.

He further submits that the election to those two constituent members would be complete within a period of *210 days from today and thereafter the election to the fourth respondent would be taken up.

*Corrected vide Court Order dated 25.07.2025

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NC: 2025:KHC:24800 WP No. 22240 of 2024 C/W WP No. 22250 of 2024

HC-KAR

His submission answers the grievance of the petitioners. Placing his submission on record, the petitions stand disposed of reserving liberty to the petitioners to agitate any other issues that may arise out of the said election process.

In view of disposal of the petitions, all pending applications stand disposed of .

SD/(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE

KTY

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