Sri. Rangashamaiah v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Co-operative society election / voter eligibility — Karnataka HC (Bengaluru), WP 3351/2025 (CS-EL/M), 21-03-2025, Suraj Govindaraj J. Writ challenging 'ineligible voters list' of Sasalu constituency (Annexure-C) for elections to Doddaballapura Taluk Primary Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ltd. disposed of: Article 226 not the proper remedy for eligibility/ineligibility or electoral-roll deficiency disputes; such disputes lie only under Section 70(2) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959 after announcement of results, counting the petitioners' votes kept in a separate ballot box; Returning Officer to declare result within seven days; contentions left open; followed H.S.Raju vs. State of Karnataka & others, W.P.No.8502/2022 (07.06.2022).
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of in light of the Coordinate Bench ruling in H.S.Raju; Returning Officer directed to announce the result within seven days taking into account the votes cast by the petitioners; the petitioners' votes to continue to be retained in a separate ballot box until disposal of any dispute filed within the prescribed time; all contentions left open for a Section 70(2) proceeding, the Court expressing no opinion on them.