- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION NO. 100212 OF 2025 (CS-EL/M) BETWEEN: 1. HANAMANT S/O ARJUN DASARADDI, AGE:40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009205 2. SHOBHA W/O GOPAL DASARADDI, AGE: 31 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009272 3. ROOPA W/O HANAMANTDASARADDI, AGE:34 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009433 4. DURAGAPPA HANAMAVVADADDIMANI, AGE:50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006871 5. UMA SADASHIVA DASARADDI, AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008371 Digitally signed by VISHAL NINGAPPA PATTIHAL Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, Dharwad - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 6. ARJUN NINGAPPA DASARADDI, AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002872 7. LAKKAPPAHANAMAPPANAGAPPAGOL, AGE: 62 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008403 8. KHANDOLA SURESH RANADEVI, AGE: 27YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008928 9. KRISHNAPPA MARUTI NAROJI AGE: 64 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008929 10. KALLAPPABASAPPABAARAKI, AGE:60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008955 11. PARASAPPAPANDAPPAKENCHAPPAGOL, AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008970 12. MAHADEVI LAKSHMAN DADDIMANI, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008976 - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 13. PRAVEEN MUTTAYYA GANACHARI, AGE: 44 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008993 14. SADASHIVA HOLEBASAPPANAHVI, AGE:44 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008995 15. SHAILA LAXMAPPAUDAPUDI, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009140 16. AVATAAR GOURAVVADADDIMANI, AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009349 17.BADAKURKEVVA HANAMAPPA METRI, AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009414 18.VITTAL SARASWATI KANCHAPPAGOL, AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009633 19. ASHOK RANGAPPA DASAR, AGE: 22 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008418 - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 20. LALITABAI KRISHNAJIDESHAPANDE, AGE: 46 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008335 21. UMA RANGAPPA DASAR, AGE: 35 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008889 22. PARVATEVVA HANAMAPPA DASAR, AGE:40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009069 23. SARITA SANGAMESH KULKARNI, AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009013 24. RAMANNA BHIMAPPAAMOGI, AGE:38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009177 25. TIMMAPPA HOLEBASAPPAKORADDI, AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009206 26. HOLEBASAPPA SHANKAREPPAKORADDI, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.001137 27. BHIMAPPATULASIGERAPPABATAKURKI, AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST:BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.001624 28. VENKAPPAHUCHCHAPPAKAGALAGOMBA, AGE:55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002902 29. IRAPPA HUCHCHAPPAKAGALAGOMBA, AGE: 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002903 30. MAHESH IRASANGAPPATIMMAPUR, AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002913 31. HOLEBASAPPA DUNDAPPA JADAR, AGE: 41 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.005849 32. VENKAPPA SAGAREPPA PUJARI, AGE:48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006203 33. SADASHIVA YALLAPPASHIVANNAVAR, AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.006328 34. YALLAPPA SATTYAPPA DASAR, AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006359 35. SHANKRAPPA HOLABASAPPASABARAD, AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.007598 36. SOMANAGOUDA GOVINDAGOUDA PATIL, AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.004022 37. RAMAPPABHIMAPPAHOSAKOTI, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.003414 38. YAMANAPPA GOVINDAPPA BANDI, AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.005007 39. BHIMAPPA RAMACHANDRA NYAMAGOUDA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.005323 40. MANJUNATH BASAPPACHIPPALAKATTI, AGE:30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.006191 41. MAYAVVA RUDRAPPA JOGI, AGE:40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006252 42. SADAPPA DUNDAPPA DODDABASAPPAGOL, AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006676 43. SHESHAPPA IRAPPACHIPPALAKATTI, AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006791 44. SANGAMESH SHESHAPPACHIPPALAKATTI, AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.007385 45. RUDRAPPA BASAPPACHIPPALAKATTI, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: ALAGUNDI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008941 46. GURUPADAYYA CHANNAYYAMATAPATHI, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002385 47. NINGAPPA LAKSHMAPPAHULASAD, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.004647 48. VENKAPPA LAKSHMAPPAHULASAD, AGE:46 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.004649 49. VENKAPPA BALAPPA NAIK, AGE:38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006204 50. YAMANAVVA VENKANAGOUDA PATIL, AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI B.K VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006916 51. SHETTAPPA HANAMAPPAMAANG, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BIDARI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006936 52. SHIVAKUMAR HANAMAPPANARAGUND, AGE: 35 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BIDARI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009000 53. LAKSHMAPPA HANAMAPPA HARIJAN, AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BIDARI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009371 54. HANAMAPPA RAMAPPAAALAGUNDI, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:ANTAPURA VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.002639 55. RACHAPPA HANAMAPPA KARANI, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: ANTAPURA VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.004519 56. HANAMANT SIDDAPPA KALAMADI, AGE: 24 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: ANTAPURA VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006964 57. NINGAPPA BALAPPA@ BAGAPPAJOGI, AGE:50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BARAGI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.004495 58. CHANNABASAPPA HOLEPPA TELI (GANIGER), AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BARAGI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.005960 59. VITTAL RAMAPPA MADAR, AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BARAGI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006800 60. HANAMANT BASAPPA SONAR, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BARAGI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.007173 61. APPANNA RANGAPPA PUJARI, AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 10 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.009421 62. BHIMAJI GOVIND DESHAPNDE, AGE:56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.001613 63. MARUTI DURAGUPPA HARIJAN (SATTIGERI), AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.002217 64. HOLABASAPPA GOURAVVA HARIJAN, AGE: 33 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MARIKATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006685 65. SHIVAPPA HANAMAPPA B. PATIL, AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MARIKATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008401 66. RUKMAVVAKONNAPPA MADAR, AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MARIKATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008423 67. HANAMANTU MALAKAAREPPAHUDED, AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.003714 68. SADAPPA HANAMAPPA PUJARI, AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 11 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.006877 69. MAHADEVI MARUTI PUJARI @ SATTIGERI, AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008221 70. MANJUNATH PUNDALIK PUJARI, AGE: 34 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009828 71. RAMESH DURAGAPPASATTIGERI, AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.00007A 72. RANGANGOUDA VENKAPPA PATIL, AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.003978 73. HANAMANT YALLAVVANAGAPPAGOL, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008402 74. BHIMAPPA RUDRAPPA HUGAR, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008917 75. PARASAPPA HOLEPPASUNAGAR, AGE:28 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 12 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.008926 76. KASHAVVA CHANDRAPPATALAWAR, AGE:65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008927 77. RAMESH BHIMAPPARANADEVI, AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008939 78. JOTIBA RAMESH RANADEVI, AGE: 22 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008940 79. MAHANTESH SHRIKANT SHETTAR, AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008994 80. SHANTAVVA RAMAPPAANTAPURA, AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.008996 81. RAMANNA DYAVAPPATALAWAR, AGE: 25 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O:MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.009036 82. PADIYAVVA HOLEPPABHAVIDANDI, AGE: 58 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MACHAKANUR VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. - 13 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 MEMBERSHIP NO.009375 83. BASANAGOUDAKRISHNAPPAGOUDA PATIL, AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.003033 84. SHIVANAGOUDA BASANAGOUDA PATIL, AGE: 25 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: BUDNI K D VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.006943 85. GANGAPPA RANGAPPAKADAPATTI, AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VAJRAMATTI VILLAGE, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT. MEMBERSHIP NO.005144. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NAGARAJ C. KOLLOORI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CO- OPERATION, MS BUILDING BENGALURU- 580001. 2. THE STATE CO- OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY 3RD FLOOR, ‘A’ BLOCK SHANTI NAGAR, T. T. M. C., BUILDING BENGALURU– 560002. REPRESENTED BY ITS COMMISSIONER. 3. THE ELECTION OFFICER / DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, BAGALKOT, DIST: BAGALKOT– 587313. 4. THE RETURNING OFFICER, MUDHOL TALUK PRATHAMIK - 14 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 SAHAKARA KRUSHI MATTU GRAMEEN ABHIVRUDDI BANK LTD., AND CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MUDHOL, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT – 587313. 5. THE MANAGER, MUDHOL TALUK PRATHAMIK SAHAKARA KRUSHI MATTU GRAMEEN ABHIVRUDDI BANK LTD., MUDHOL, TQ: MUDHOL, DIST: BAGALKOT- 587313. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. KIRTILATA R. PATIL, HCGP FOR R1 & R3, SRI G. V. BHARAMAGOUDAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA IS PRAYING TO A) TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.3 TO 5 TO INCLUDE THE NAMES OF THE PETITIONERS IN THE FINAL ELIGIBLE NON-BORROWER VOTER LIST AND PERMIT THE PETITIONERS TO CAST VOTE IN THE ELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE 5TH RESPONDENT CO-OPERATIVE BANK SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 19-01-2025 VIDE ANNEXURE-A AS PER CALENDAR OF EVENT 2-1-2025 IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. B) TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS NO.4 TO DECLARE THE ELECTION RESULTS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE ELECTION PROCESS BY ALLOWING THIS WRIT PETITION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. C) TO ISSUE ANY OTHER ORDER, DIRECTIONS AS DEEMS FIT IN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 15 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA) 1. Learned counsel appearing for the parties in unison would submit that, the issue in the lis stands covered by judgment rendered by Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P. No.8502/2022 C/w. W.P. No.8477/2022, disposed off on 7th June 2022. The Coordinate Bench of this Court held as follows: “8. In the light of these rival submissions, the question for consideration is: Whether these writ petitions must be disposed of directing the Returning Officer [the fourth respondent and sixth respondents in the respective petitions to announce the results of the elections held on 23.04.2022 including the votes cast by the petitioners. 9. The provisions of Rule 13-D (2-A) of the Rules read as hereunder: (3) The Election Officer shall take steps for publication of voters list in the following manner, namely:- (a) for publication of draft eligible electoral list, a list of defaulters, a list of members whose repayment falls due, before the election date clear fifty days; (b) for calling objections, if any, calling upon the defaulter members to repay the amounts due to the co-operative societies on or before thirty clear days prior to the date of election; - 16 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 (c) the scrutiny and verification of the voters list after payment by defaulters etc., clear twenty days before the ate of election. (d) for publication of final eligible voters list before fifteen clear days prior to the date of election. The underlining is by this Court. 10. These provisions do not leave any room for doubt that an excluded member, with the publication of the Draft Eligible Electoral List, must have an opportunity by way of an individual notice to file objections on exclusion from the Electoral List. It must be shown that the concerned Chief Executive has prepared and sent notice to the affected members. The Public Notice dated 8.11.20211 does not meet these requirements. In fact, it is admitted on behalf of the respondents 1 This Public Notice reads as follows: ¸ÀAWÀzÀ ¨ÉʯÁ wzÀÄÝ¥Àr DzÉñÀ ¸ÀASÉå: r Dgï ªÉÊ: Dgï.J¸ï.Dgï.JA.J.©.¹.Dgï- 16/2018- 19 ¢£ÁAPÀ 16.11.2018 gÀAvÉ ¸ÀºÀPÁgÀ ¸ÀAWÀUÀ¼À G¥À¤§AzsÀPÀgÀÄ, ªÀÄAqÀå f¯Éè, ªÀÄAqÀågÀªÀgÀÄ ¨ÉʯÁ wzÀÄݪÀrAiÀÄ£ÀÄß D£ÀĪÉÆâ¹ £ÉÆAzÁ¬Ä¹gÀÄvÁÛgÉ. CzÀgÀAvÉ '©' vÀgÀUÀw gÉÊvÀ ¸ÀzÀ¸ÀågÀ µÉÃj£À ªÀÄÄR¨É¯É gÀÆ.1000.00 UÀ¼ÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ µÉÃgÀÄ ±ÀÄ®ÌzÀ ¨Á§Ä gÀÆ.100.00 UÀ¼ÀÄ DVgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. ªÀiÁ£Àå '©' vÀgÀUÀw ¸ÀzÀ¸ÀågÁzÀ vÀªÀÄä µÉÃgÀÄ ªÉƧ®UÀÄ gÀÆ.500.00UÀ¼ÀÄ EzÀÄÝ ¨ÁQ µÉÃgÀÄ ªÉƧ®UÀÄ gÀÆ.500.00UÀ¼ÀÄ PÀrªÉÄ EgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. EzÀgÀ eÉÆvÉUÉ ¨ÁQ EgÀĪÀ µÉÃgÀÄ ±ÀÄ®Ì gÀÆ.90.00UÀ¼ÀÄ ¸ÉÃj MlÄÖ gÀÆ590,00UÀ¼À£ÀÄß ¥ÁªÀw¸À®Ä ºÁUÀÆ ªÀiÁ£Àå '©' vÀgÀUÀw PÉ®ªÀÅ ¸ÀzÀ¸ÀågÀ µÉÃgÀÄ ªÉƧ®UÀÄ gÀÆ.100.00UÀ¼ÀÄ EzÀÄÝ. ¨ÁQ µÉÃgÀÄ ªÉƧ®UÀÄ gÀÆ900.00UÀ¼ÀÄ PÀrªÉÄ EgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. EzÀgÀ eÉÆvÉUÉ ¨ÁQ EgÀĪÀ µÉÃgÀÄ ¸ÀÄ®Ì gÀÆ 100.00UÀ¼ÀÄ ¸ÉÃj MlÄÖ gÀÆ 1000.00UÀ¼À£ÀÄß ¢£ÁAPÀ:11.12.2021 gÉƼÀUÉ ¸ÀAWÀPÉÌ ¥ÁªÀw¸ÀĪÀAvÉ F ªÀÄÆ®PÀ vÀªÀÄUÉ w½¹zÉ. ªÀÄÄAzÀĪÀjzÀÄ EzÀ®èzÉ PÀ£ÁðlPÀ ¸ÀºÀPÁgÀ ¸ÀAWÀUÀ¼À C¢ü¤AiÀÄ£ÀÄ 1959gÀ ¥ÀæPÀgÀt 20(2) (J4) ºÁUÀÆ (J5)gÀrAiÀÄ°è£À CªÀPÁ±ÀUÀ¼ÀAvÉAiÀÄÆ CºÀðvÉAiÀÄÆ ºÉÆA¢gÀ¨ÉÃPÁVgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. vÀ¦àzÀ°è ªÀÄÄAzÉ d£ÀªÀj 2022gÀ ªÀiÁºÉAiÀÄ°è £ÀqÉAiÀÄ°gÀĪÀ DqÀ½vÀ ªÀÄAqÀ° ZÀÄ£ÁªÀuÉAiÀÄ°è ªÀÄvÀ ZÀ¯Á¬Ä¸À®Ä ºÁUÀÆ ¸Àà¢üð¸À®Ä CªÀPÁ±À«gÀĪÀÅ¢®è JA§ «µÀAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß F ªÀÄÆ®PÀ vÀªÀÄUÉ w½¸À¯ÁVzÉ. - 17 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 that there are deficiencies in the preparation of the Final Electoral Roll after the publication of the Draft Eligible Electoral List, and the petitioners have not been issued with individual notices. 11. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in Shri Sant Sadguru Janardan Swami (Moingiri Maharaj) Sahakari Dugha Utpadak Sanstha and Another v. State of Maharashtra and Others supra has held as follows: ‘7. A perusal of the Rules discloses that the preparation of provisional list of voters, filing of objection against the provisional list of voters, consideration of the objection by the Collector and finalising the list of voters, all occur in the Rules which cover the entire process of the election. The Rules framed for election of specified societies are complete code in itself providing for the entire process of election beginning from the stage of preparation of the provisional voters list, decision on the objection by the Collector, finalisation of electoral rolls, holding of election and declaration of result of the election. In view of the scheme of the Act and Rules, the preparation of voters' list must be held to be part of the election process for constituting managing committee of a specified society. 12. In view of our finding that preparation of the electoral roll is being an intermediate stage in the process of election of the managing committee of a specified society and the election process having been set in motion, it is well settled that the High Court 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. It is not disputed that the election in question has already been held and the result thereof has been stayed by an order of this Court, and once the result of the election is declared, it would be open to the appellant to challenge the election of returned candidate, if aggrieved, by means of an election petition before the election - 18 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 tribunal. 12. It follows from this decision that the adjudication of all questions must be as provided under Section 70(2) of the Co-operative Societies Act2. However, in the present case the respondents admit that there are deficiencies in finalization of Final Electoral List. The petitioners are admittedly not issued with individual notice as required under the provisions of Rule13-D (2-A) of the Co-operative Societies Rules; the petitioners have now cast their votes in the elections on 23.04.2022; the petitioners are not given the opportunity to show cause against the allegations that they have created documents. The respondents, despite admitting deficiencies in finalisation of the Final Electoral List, want to invoke the rule of alternative remedy. This Court is of the considered view that, in the peculiarities of this case, the writ petitions should be disposed of with directions to the concerned respondent to announce results counting even the votes cast by the petitioners and with liberty to all the concerned to avail remedy under Section 70(2) of the Act if 2 70. Disputes which may be referred to Registrar for decision.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, if any dispute touching the constitution, management, or the business of a co-operative society arises,— (a) xxxxxxxxx (2). For the purposes of sub-section (1), the following shall be deemed to be disputes touching the constitution, management or the business of a co-operative society, namely:— (a). XXXXXXXXXXX (b). XXXXXXXXXXXXX (c). any dispute arising in connection with the election of a President, Vice- president, Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer or Member of Committee of the society. - 19 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:3553 WP No. 100212 of 2025 aggrieved by the results. If such remedy is availed raising a dispute, exclusion of votes of those petitioners who are guilty of fraud can also be considered based on the material that will be placed on record. Therefore, writ petitions are disposed of calling upon the Returning Officer [the fourth respondent/sixth respondent in the respective petitions] to announce the result forthwith including the votes cast by the petitioners in both the petitions. All the contentions are left open for consideration in appropriate proceedings, if commenced.” 2. Learned counsel would submit that, if the same order is passed, it would suffice in this case also. 3. In that light, the writ petition is disposed calling upon the respondent – Returning Officer to announce the result forthwith including the votes cast by the petitioners. All the contentions are left open for consideration in appropriate proceedings, if commenced. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE KGK/CT-GTB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 72