- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 35055 OF 2024 (CS-EL/M) BETWEEN: 1. KODANDA Y C S/O CHINAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000007 2. BHASKARACHAR K R S/O RANAGACAHR AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS SHARE NO.1000011 3. VISHNUMURTHY G D S/O GOPAL NAIK AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS SHARE NO.1000013 4. YELAPPA B S S/O SHESHANNA GOWDA AGEDA BOUT 72 YEARS SHARE NO.1000014 5. KRISHNAMURTHY D S S/O SHESHAGIRIYAPPA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS SHARE NO.1000023 6. MARIYAPPA GOWDA S/O ANATHA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS SHARE NO.1000027 7. UDAYA SHANKAR H V S/O VISHHWANATHAIAH AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS SHARE NO.1000028 Digitally signed by MAHALAKSHMI B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 8. CHANDRASHEKAR H S S/O SHINGAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS SHARE NO.1000035 9. SUNANDA J C W/O KALASAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 82 YEARS SHARE NO.1000036 10. SRINIVAS H S S/O SHINGAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS SHARE NO.1000040 11. PRASANNA A S/O KRISHNAMURTHY AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1000041 12. SHIVASWAMY KARANT M M S/O MAHABALA KARANT M A AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS SHARE NO.1000043 13. SUNDARESH H C S/O CHINNAIAH GOWDA AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1000045 14. BHASKAR M S S/O SRINIVASAIAHA AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS SHARE NO.1000048 15. GULABI W/O KITTE GOWDA AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS SHARE NO.1000053 16. BHAGYA B V W/O VEERAPPA GOWDA H C AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS SHARE NO.1000061 - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 17. RENUKA H C W/O MANJUNATH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000064 18. SUGANDHINI SRINIVASA W/O SRINIVAS AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS SHARE NO.1000066 19. SHIVASHANKAR H S S/O SHINGAPPAIAH AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS SHARE NO.1000090 20. VENKATESH GOWDA C K S/O KADAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 75 YEARS SHARE NO.10000139 21. PUTTAMMA W/O KALASAPPA GOWDA C M AGED ABOUT 82 YEARS SHARE NO.10000145 22. SARASWATHAMMA H V W/O BHOJARAO H V AGED ABOUT 85 YEARS SHARE NO.10000149 23. NATESH H S S/O SHANKARAPPA GOWDA H G AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS SHARE NO.1000156 24. NAGESH H K S/O KOLLAPPA GODA AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1000160 25. SUDHAM SHETTY S M S/O MANJUNATH AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS SHARE NO.1000168 - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 26. SUBRAMANYA S M S/O MANJUNATH AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1000169 27. NIRANJANACHARI S/O MARIYAPPACHARI AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS SHARE NO.1000184 28. MANJUNATHAIAH M P S/O PHANIYAPPAIAH M AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS SHARE NO.1000209 29. POORNESH K S/O KESHAV HEGDE A G AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1000216 30. NAGARAJ M K S/O KRISHNAMURTHY K H AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1000223 31. NAGABHUSHAN S S S/O SUBRAMANYA AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS SHARE NO.1000224 32. SNEHA SANDEEP KAMATH W/O SANDEEP KAMATH B S AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000226 33. SUMANGALI CHANDRAMOULI W/O CHANDRAMOULI AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1000227 34. ARAYAMBA W/O RAMESH AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS SHARE NO.1000229 - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 35. NAGALAKSHMI M T W/O VENKATARAMANAIAH AGED ABOUT 83 YEARS SHARE NO.1000233 36. KAMALAMMA W/O SHINGAPPA NAIK AGED ABOUT 85 YEARS SHARE NO.1000254 37. SEETHAMMA W/O SHANKARA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000257 38. VISHWANATH C S S/O SUBBAIAH AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS SHARE NO.1000266 39. SRINIVAS A K S/O KRISHNADEVARAIH AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS SHARE NO.1000268 40. SHESHADRI V S S/OP SHRUNGESHWARAIAH AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS SHARE NO.1000276 41. CHANDRAMOULI A S S/O SHESHAIAH AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS SHARE NO.1000279 42. SHAKUNTALA C N W/O SUBRAMANYA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS SHARE NO.1000341 43. CHANDRASHEKHAR S S/O SESHAIAAH AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS SHARE NO.1000352 - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 44. SOMAMMA W/O SHANKARAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 90 YEARS SHARE NO.1000354 45. RAGHAVENDR K S/O KRISHNAMURTHY K AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS SHARE NO.1000360 46. ASHOKA C K S/O KALASAPPA GOWDA C M AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1000366 47. SUNANDA W/O SURESHA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS SHARE NO.1000370 48. GIRISH HEGDE C P S/O KUTAPPA HEGDE C B AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS SHARE NO.1000382 49. YOGESH PRABHU S/O KRISHNARAYA PRABHU K AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1000407 50. SHIVAPRASAD D N S/O NAGARAJ D S AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS SHARE NO.1000418 51. SURESH G BAPAT S/O G M BAPAT AGED ABOUT 82 YEARS SHARE NO.1000430 52. AMBIKA K V W/O RAVINDRA M S AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000436 - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 53. VERAPPA GOWDA H C S/O CHINAIAH GOWDA AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS SHARE NO.1000451 54. SURESH HEGDE S/O ANNAIAH HEGDE AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS SHARE NO.1000461 55. MAHESH M S S/O SHANTRARAMA M G AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS SHARE NO.1000474 56. NATARAJ H B S/O BHOJARAO H V AGED ABOUT 58YEARS SHARE NO.1000490 57. LATHA SHETTY B K W/O SUBRAMANYA K S AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1000496 58. RAMESH H B S/O BHOJARAO H V AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS SHARE NO.1000513 59. NATARAJ K L S/O LAKSHMINARAYANAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000527 60. NARASIMHA MURTHY S S/O SINAIAH AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS SHARE NO.1000528 61. CHANAPPA GOWDA K M S/O MANJAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS SHARE NO.1000529 - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 62. SUBRAMNYA M B S/O BHASKAR AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS SHARE NO.1000541 63. KRISHNAMURTHY S S/O SHESHAIAH AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS SHARE NO.1000601 64. DINESH K S/O KALASEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS SHARE NO.1000604 65. SANDEEP KAMATH B S S/O SURENDRA KAMATH B R AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000623 66. JALAJAMMA W/O NAGARAJ AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1000636 67. SUBRAMNYA M K S/O KRISHANDEVARAIH AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS SHARE NO.1000649 68. VENKATESH MURTHY S/O SUBBAIAH AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000652 69. SRIKANTHA S/O MARIYAPPA ACHARI AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1000669 70. RENUKA C P W/O VENKATESH D M AGED ABOUT 55 YEAR SHARE NO.1000670 - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 71. RAMESHA K A S/O K APPURAO AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000677 72. DHANALAKSHMI B C W/O DINESH M K AGED ABOUT 38 YEAR SHARE NO.1000694 73. PRASANNA M SHETTY S/O MANJUNATHA AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1000727 74. VEENA W/O SHANATARAM M G AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1000739 75. JAGADESH K S S/O SURYAPPA SHETTY AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000762 76. PREMA H S W/O GIRIYAPPA GOWDA H C AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS SHARE NO.1000778 77. MANJUNATH M S S/O SHESHAGIRIYAPPA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000776 78. GANESH N K S/O KRISHNA POOJARI AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1000777 79. RAGHAVENDRA S/O YOGAPPA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS SHARE NO.1000782 - 10 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 80. SUREKHA G Y W/O DINESHA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS SHARE NO.1000786 81. RAMESH H T S/O THIMMAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS SHARE NO.1000796 82. PREMA W/O SUDHAKAR AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS SHARE NO.1000778 83. LEELAMBA W/O SOMANATHA K AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS SHARE NO.1000800 84. GAYATHRI W/O MADHAVA T S AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000813 85. MALINI W/O ANANTHA G AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1000815 86. SOWJANYA K N W/O RAMESH H T AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000816 87. SATISH G S/O GOPALA SHETTY B S AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1000839 88. RAGHUVEERA S/O GANAPAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000843 - 11 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 89. MAMATHA W/O GIRISHA AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS SHARE NO.1000853 90. JAGADESHA H M S/O MARIYAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1000858 91. NARASIMHA MURTHY S/O SUBBAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1000866 92. DAMAYANTHI M R W/O SRINIVASA A K AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000899 93. NAGARAJ A S S/O ANANTH HOLLA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000915 94. RAGHAVENDRA A L S/O LASKHMINARAYAN AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1000933 95. SHANTHAMMA W/O NAGAPPA GOWDA AGEDA BOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1000948 96. SWARNA LAKSHMI W/O NAGARAJA H B AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS SHARE NO.1000976 97. VASUKI H S W/O SUBRAMNYA H S AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS SHARE NO.1000987 - 12 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 98. KUSUMA A S W/O JAGADESHA H M AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1000990 99. UMASHANKAR M N S/O NAGARAJ M K AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS SHARE NO.1000997 100. SUBRAMANYA R S/O RATHNAPPA AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS SHARE NO.1000999 101. SRINIVASA H S S/O SUBBAIAH AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS SHARE NO.1001000 102. SHIVAKUMAR S/O VENKATESH GOWDA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS SHARE NO.1001020 103. VASUUDEV URAL M R S/O RADHAKRISHNA URAL AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS SHARE NO.1001022 104. HARISH V SHETTY S/O VENKATRAMA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1001027 105. LAKHSMI W/O KRISHNA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS SHARE NO.101042 106. ADARSHA S B S/O DATTATRE S R AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS SHARE NO.1001050 - 13 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 107. JAGADEESHA S S/O SANJEEGVA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS SHARE NO.1001051 108. ANSUYYA K W/O KALLESHA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS SHARE NO.1001060 109. NAVEENA N S S/O NAGESHACHAR N O AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS SHARE NO.1001065 110. ROHINI T G W/O RAVINDRA K T AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS SHARE NO.1001068 111. VINAYA M T S/O THIMAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS SHARE NO.1001071 112. SUBRAMANYA G S/O GANESHAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS SHARE NO.1001072 113. INDRAMMA W/O KUTAPPA HEGDE AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS SHARE NO.1001080 114. SOWMYA A N W/O RAGHAVENDRA A L AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS SHARE NO.1001081 115. SRIKRISHNA V S S/O SHUNGESHWARAIAH AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS SHARE NO.1001085 - 14 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 116. SHIVAMURTHY V S S/O SHUNGESHWARAIAH AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1001086 117. SUBBARAYACHAR S/O RANGACHAR AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS SHARE NO.1001087 118. SUSHILA W/O DHARMAPPA AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS SHARE NO.1001092 119. SHIVAPRAKASH D S/O MAHABALA BHAT AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1001097 120. SUSHILAMMA W/O MANJAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1001100 121. JAYALASKHMI W/O NAGESHHA AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS SHARE NO.1001112 122. SUDHEERA H N S/O NAGESHA ACHAR H K AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS SHARE NO.1001119 123. SAVITHA D N W/O GIRISHA HEGDE CP AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS SHARE NO.1001135 124. CHANDRAVATHI W/O SURAPPA GOWDA D P AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS SHARE NO.1001139 - 15 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 125. ANNAPURNA PRAKASH W/O SHIVARAKASH AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS SHARE NO.1001140 126. UMADEVI W/O MANJUNATH BHAT M P AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS SHARE NO.1001143 127. VIDYASHANKAR BAPAT S/O LAKSHMAN BAPAT V AGED ABOUT 49 YEAR SHARE NO.1001145 128. SHOBHA W/O SEETHARAMU AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SHARE NO.1001147 129. RAJENDRA S/O SEETHARAMU AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS SHARE NO.1001148 130. MAHABALA BHAT B S/O MAHALINGA BHAT AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1001154 131. USHA W/O SUBRAMANYA G AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS SHARE NO.1001158 132. POONRESH H R S/O RAMU H AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS SHARE NO.1001185 133. RASHMI T M D/O MADHAVA T S AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS SHARE NO.1001186 - 16 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 134. VISHWANATH H R S/O RAMU AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS SHARE NO.1001190 135. NIKHILI C N S/O NARAHARI C V AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS SHARE NO.1001195 136. DHARMAPPA S/O ERAHANDA AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS SHARE NO.1001196 137. SHANTA W/O MAHESHA AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS SHARE NO.1001203 138. SAROJA W/O NAGARAJA RAO H S AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS SHARE NO.1001204 139. PRAVEEN KUMAR S/O ANANTH HOLLA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS SHARE NO.1001206 ALL ARE MEMBERS OF SRI SHARADA PRIMARY AGRICULTURE CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., SRINGERI SRINGERI TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALUR DISTRICT-577126 …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHAMANNA B H., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION, M.S BUILDING, DR. B.R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560001. REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY. - 17 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 2. THE STATE CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY 3RD FLOOR, TTMC A BLOCK, K.H.ROAD, SHANTINAGAR, BANGALORE-560027 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 3. THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, CHIKKAMAGALURU, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT-577101 4. THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CHIKKAMAGALURU, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT-577139. 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. SRI.SHARADA PRIMARY AGRICULTURE CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., SRINGERI, SRINGERI TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT-577126. (SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT-1959) 6. RETURNING OFFICER SRI. SHARADA PRIMARY AGRICULTURE CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., SRINGERI, SRINGERI TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT-577126. (SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT-1959) …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. YOGESH D. NAIK, AGA FOR R1, R3, R4 AND R6; SRI. T.L.KIRAN KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.2 TO 6 TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE PETITIONERS IN THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS LIST AND PERMIT THE PETITIONERS TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS TO THE RESPONDENT NO.5 WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 29.12.2024. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 18 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 CORAM: HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA ORAL ORDER Petitioners in this petition are seeking to direct respondent Nos.2 to 6 to include the names of petitioners in the eligible voters list and permit the petitioners to cast their votes in the election of respondent No.5 which was scheduled to be held on 29.12.2024. 2. This Court, by way of interim arrangement on 20.12.2024, permitted the petitioners to cast their votes in the ensuing elections scheduled to be held on 29.12.2024 to the Board of Directors of respondent No.5-society subject to the final outcome of this writ petition. 3. The challenge in this writ petition is on the premise that notice under Rule 13 of the Karnataka Co- Operative Societies Rules, 1960 (‘the KCS Rules, 1960’ for short) is not issued. 4. Rule 13-D of the KCS Rules, 1960 reads as under: - 19 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 “13-D. Preparation of electoral rolls and calendar of events.–(1) Election Officer shall, after due verification, send a consolidated list of all co- operative societies in the district where elections are due at least 120 days before the date of expiry of the term of office of the boards to the Co-operative Election Authority indicating therein the following particulars.– (a) the name and address of the society; (b) number of elected directors of the board; (c) the date of expiry of the term of office of the board; (d) the proposed places where the elections are to be held or other particulars as required by the Co-operative Election Authority. (2) The Co-operative Election Authority shall, on receipt of such reports from the Election Officer, containing the list of cooperative societies where elections are due, publish the calendar of events for the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections of the boards of the co- operative societies indicating the name and address of each society. (2-A) The election officer shall take steps for publication of voter list who are not eligible to vote in the following manner, namely.– - 20 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (i) For publication of draft ineligible electoral list, the chief executive of every cooperative Society shall prepare notice in respect of members not attending three out of the last five annual general body, meetings and members not utilising such minimum services or facilities in a co-operative year as specified in the bye-laws for three consecutive co- operative years. (ii) The chief executive of every co-operative society shall send above prepared notice to all ineligible members, fifteen days prior to six months to the date of election of the board by registered post and an opportunity shall be given to such member to file their objections, if any within fifteen days from the date of notice. (iii) The chief executive of every co-operative society shall submit the list of ineligible voters to the election officer along with their objections and also produce the records pertaining to absence from general body meeting with attendance and services utilised by members. He has to produce the records for having sent the notice along with acknowledgement to the election officer within thirty days from the date of notice as specified by the election officer. - 21 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (iv) The chief executive of every cooperative society shall state in his notice that the ineligible voter can appear before the election officer between thirty days to sixty days from the date of notice to get the remedy. v) The election officer has to hear and dispose the objections filed by the ineligible voters within sixty days from the days of submission of objections from such voters. (vi) The final list of ineligible voters shall be published on or before fifteen clear days prior to the date of election. (3) The Election Officer shall take steps for publication of voters list in the following manner, namely.– (a) for publication of draft eligible 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; (c) the scrutiny and verification of the voters list after payment by defaulters etc., clear twenty days before the date of election; - 22 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (d) for publication of final eligible voters list before fifteen clear days prior to the date of election. (4) It shall be the duty of every society to furnish correct information required by the Election Officer to enable him to approve the electoral rolls as directed by the Co-operative Election Authority. (5) The chief executive of every co- operative society shall prepare (i) a draft list of the eligible members or representatives and delegates with right to vote, (ii) a list of members whose repayments will fall due before the date fixed for publication of final electoral roll, (iii) a list of defaulters, (iv) a list of other members or representatives and delegates who are not eligible to vote at a general election indicating the reasons for ineligibility memberwise on the basis of entries in the updated membership register specifying,– (a) the name of the member or representative, the admission number, the name of the parent or husband and the address of such member or representative in the case of an individual member; (b) the admission number, the name of the society, the name of the delegate proposed to - 23 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 represent the society in the case of a member society, and submit the said lists to the Election Officer along with the related books, records and documents and any other information as the Election Officer may require, at least sixty days before the date of election. (6) The Co-operative Election Authority shall call upon the Chief Executive of the co-operative society to obtain from the member society, the name of an authorised member of the board of such society as a delegate, together with the resolution of the board of the said society and the specimen signature along with the photograph of the delegate duly attested and bearing the seal of the society and furnish all such information under sub-rule (5). (7) The final electoral roll shall consist of the following,– (a) all the individual members with right to vote in respect of a primary co-operative society; or (b) all the individual members and the delegates of the members societies with right to vote in respect of a secondary co-operative society; or - 24 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (c) all the delegates of the member societies with right to vote in respect of a federal and an apex society. (8) The copy of such electoral roll in respect of each society shall be kept open for inspection in the office of such society as also in the office of the Election Officer. (9) The election calendar of events for general election of directors of the board shall provide for.– (a) date of notification inviting nomination; (b) last date for receipt of nomination; (c) date and time for scrutiny of nomination; (d) date and time for publication of list of validly nominated candidates; (e) date and time for withdrawal of nomination papers; (f) Date and time for publication list of contesting candidates; (g) Date and time for allotment of symbols and publication of contesting candidates with symbols; (h) Date and time of poll; (i) Date and time of counting and declaration of results.” - 25 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 5. The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners have paid all membership/share holders due to respondent No.5-society and attended all the annual general body meetings, in spite of which respondent No.5- society have dropped the petitioners from the eligible voters list and the provisions of Rule 13-D of KCS Rules, 1960 is overlooked by respondent No.5-society. 6. The Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Sri. B Ganganna and others Vs. The State of Karnataka, Department of Co Operation and others1 (B Ganganna) had given deliberate consideration to the provisions of Rule 13-D of the KCS Rules, 1960 and adjudication of dispute under Section 70 of the Karnataka Co-Operative Societies Act, 1959 (‘KCS Act, 1959’ for short). The Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court framed the following points for consideration at paragraph No.9, which reads as under: 1 ILR 2024 KAR 1901 - 26 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 “9. In the light of the contentions raised, the following questions arise for consideration; (a) Whether a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is maintainable (before the publication of the calendar of events under Rule 14) to redo the voters’ list for violation of Rule 13- D(2-A) of the Rules, 1960, in preparing the eligible and ineligible voters’ list? (b) Whether the authority acting under Section 70(2)(c) of the Act, 1959 can decide the validity of the electoral roll vis-à-vis Rule 13-D(2-A) of Rules, 1960? (c) Whether the judgments of co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Mohammad Beary and H.S. Raju supra are per incurium and contrary to the law in Election Commission of India through Secretary supra.” (Emphasis supplied) 7. The Co-Ordinate Bench after giving deliberate consideration to various judgments has held at paragraph Nos.50 and 51 as under: “50. For the reasons recorded, this Court concludes as under: (a) The preparation of electoral roll under Rule, 13-D(2-A) of the Karnataka Co-Operative Rules 1960 is an integral part of the election - 27 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 process in the context of a question whether the writ petition is maintainable when the challenge is laid to the procedure initiated for preparing electoral roll. (b) In a dispute under Section 70(2)(c) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959, the Authority under Section 70 can decide the question on the validity of electoral roll prepared under the Rules, 1960 and its impact on the election. (c) The judgments in MOHAMMAD BEARY and H.S. RAJU are not per incurium (d) The writ petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India to challenge the electoral roll on the ground of non compliance of Rule 13-D(2-A) of Rules, may lie in exceptional cases. 51. Based on the conclusions arrived at in the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that no exceptional case is made out in this petition to exercise Article 226 jurisdiction. This Court has not expressed any opinion on the eligible and ineligible voters’ list prepared during the pendency of the petition. Hence, the following: ORDER Writ petition is disposed of on the following terms: - 28 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (i) The returning officer shall count the votes cast in the election held on 21.01.2024, to the Board of the 6th respondent bank, and shall announce the results. (ii) The liberty is reserved to the petitioners or any aggrieved person to raise objections to the validity of the electoral roll in an election petition under Section 70(2)(c) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959. (iii) If such a dispute is raised, the Authority under Section 70 of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959, shall examine all questions including the question relating to validity of the eligible and ineligible voters’ list and impact on the election to the Board of the 6th respondent – Bank. (iv) Nothing is expressed on the merits of the eligible and ineligible voters' list published during the pendency of the petition and said question kept open to be decided in the dispute under Section 70 of the Karnataka Co- operative Societies Act, 1959, if raised.” 8. Section 70 of the KCS Act, 1959 reads as under: “70. Disputes which may be referred to Registrar for decision.–(1) Notwithstanding - 29 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 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) among members, past members and persons claiming through members, past members and deceased members, or (b) between a member, past member or person claiming through a member, past member or deceased member and the society, its board or any officer, agent or employee of the society, or (c) between the society or its board and any past board, any officer, agent or employee, or any past officer, past agent or past employee or the nominee, heirs, or legal representatives of any deceased officer, deceased agent, or deceased employee of the society, or (d) between the society and any other co- operative society, or a credit agency. such dispute shall be referred to the Registrar for decision and no civil or Labour or Revenue Court or Industrial Tribunal shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or other proceeding in respect of such dispute. - 30 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 (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) a claim by the society for any debt or demand due to it from a member or the nominee, heirs or legal representatives of a deceased member, whether such debt or demand be admitted or not; (b) a claim by a surety against the principal debtor where the society has recovered from the surety any amount in respect of any debt or demand due to it from the principal debtor, as a result of the default of the principal debtor whether such debt or demand is admitted or not; (c) any dispute arising in connection with the election of a President, Vice-president or any office-bearer or Member of board of the society. (d) any dispute between a co-operative society and its employees or past employees or heirs or legal representatives of a deceased employee, including a dispute regarding the terms of employment, working conditions and disciplinary action taken by a co-operative society notwithstanding anything contrary - 31 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 contained in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (Central Act 14 of 1947); (e) a claim by a co-operative society for any deficiency caused in the assets of the co- operative society by a member, past member, deceased member or deceased officer, past agent or deceased agent or by any servant, past servant or deceased servant or by its board, past or present whether such loss be admitted or not. (3) If any question arises whether a dispute referred to the Registrar under this section is a dispute touching the constitution, management or the business of a co-operative society, the decision thereon of the Registrar shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court. (4) x x x x x (5) x x x x x” 9. The plain reading of Section 70 makes it clear that an extensive and exhaustive mechanism is provided under the aforesaid Section and the authority under Section 70 can decide the question on the validity of electoral roll prepared under the Rules, 1960 and its - 32 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 impact on the elections, whether the petitioners are the eligible voters and have paid membership dues, or annual general body meetings are attended or availed the minimum services are all questions of fact, which have to be decided under Section 70 of the KCS Act, 1959 and the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to challenge the electoral roll, the petitioners have not made out any exceptional case in this petition to be entertained and the decision of the Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of B. Ganganna as stated supra is squarely applicable to the present facts and the present petition needs to be disposed of in similar terms and hence, the following: ORDER i. The Returning Officer shall count the votes cast in the elections held on 29.12.2024 to the Board of Directors of respondent No.5-society and shall announce the results. ii. Liberty is reserved to the petitioners or any aggrieved party to raise objections to the validity - 33 - NC: 2025:KHC:3533 WP No. 35055 of 2024 of the electoral by filing a Election Petition under Section 70(2) of the KCS Act, 1959. iii. If any dispute is raised under the provisions of KCS Act, 1959 the authority under Section 70 of the KCS Act, 1959 shall examine all questions including the questions relating to the validity of the eligible and ineligible voters list and impact of the election to the Board of respondent No.5- society. iv. All the contentions of the parties are kept open. v. This Court has not expressed merits and demerits on eligibility or ineligibility of the voters list. With the said observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- ______________________ JUSTI CE K.S. HEMALEKHA SS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 24