- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:6351-DB CCC No. 100112 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 09TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S G PANDIT AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA CIVIL CONTEMPT PETITION NO.100112 OF 2025 BETWEEN: SHRI VIDYADAS BABAJI S/O. RAMESHWARA DAS OF RAMANAND SAMPRADAYA, AGE. 56 YEARS, OCC. PRIEST PRADHAN ARCHAK OF KISHKINDA KSHETRA, ANGEGUNDI, ANJANADRI HILLS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF CHIKKARAMPUR VILLAGE, R/O. SHRI ANJANEYA TEMPLE, OF KISHKINDA KSHETRA, ANEGUNDI, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF CHIKKARAMPUR VILLAGE, TAL. GANGAVATHI, DIST. KOPPAL-583227. …COMPLAINANT (BY SRI GOURI SHANKAR MOT, ADVOCATE.) AND: 1. SMT. V. RASHMI MAHESH, IAS, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (MUZARAI) VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560001. 2. SMT. V. RASHMI MAHESH, IAS, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (ENDOWMENT) VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560001. 3. J. KUMARA GURUBARAN, IAS, THE COMMISSIONER, Digitally signed by MALLIKARJUN RUDRAYYA KALMATH Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:6351-DB CCC No. 100112 of 2025 DEPARTMENT OF ENDOWMENT, CHAMRAJPET, BENGALURU-560001. 4. SHRI. NALINI ATUL, IAS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, KOPPAL, DIST. KOPPAL-583231. 5. SHRI. RAM L ARASIDDI, IAS, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KOPPAL, DIST. KOPPAL-583231. 6. SHRI. RAHUL RATNAM PANDEY, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, KOPPAL, DIST. KOPPAL-583231. 7. SHRI. RANGAPPA DODDAMANI, THE CIRCLE POLICE INSPECTOR, TAL. GANGAVATI, DIST. KOPPAL-583227. 8. SHRI. PRAKASH RAO, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, (ADMINISTRATOR), HULEGEMMA DEVI TEMPLE, TAL. AND DIST. KOPPAL-583231. 9. SHRI. U. NAGARAJ, THE TAHASILDAR, GANGAVATHI, TAL. GANGAVATHI, DIST. KOPPAL-583227. …ACCUSED 10. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, R/BY AGA. …PRO-FORMA RESPONDENT. (BY SRI G.K. HIREGOUDAR, GOVERNMENT ADVOCATE R10.) THIS CONTEMPT PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 11 AND 12 OF THE CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT, 1971, PRAYING TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE RESPONDENTS NO.1 TO 9/ACCUSED 1 TO 9 AND PASS APPROPRIATE ORDER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT FOR BLATANT VIOLATION OF INTERIM ORDER DATED 14/02/2023 PASSED BY THE SINGLE JUDGE IN W.P. NO.105448/2019 (GM-R/C) (ANNEXURE-A), IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND ETC.,. THIS CONTEMPT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER IS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:6351-DB CCC No. 100112 of 2025 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S G PANDIT AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S G PANDIT) This contempt petition is filed under section 11 and 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 alleging disobedience of interim order dated 14.02.2023 in W.P.No.105448/2019 (GM-R/C). The interim order reads as follows: “Under these circumstances, in the light of the aforesaid interim orders passed by this Court, by way of an interim arrangement, I deem it just and appropriate to direct the respondents not to create any hindrance or obstruction to the petitioner for performing poojas, Archak duties etc., in the said subject temple and also permit him continue to do so without any interruption, impediment or hindrance from the respondents, its officials or anyone else. It is further directed that pending disposal of these writ petitions, the respondents shall not take any precipitate/coercive steps against the petitioner in relation to the subject temple or his residence in any manner whatsoever. It is made clear that this interim arrangement is without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties and subject to further orders of this Court and final outcome of these petitions.” - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:6351-DB CCC No. 100112 of 2025 2. The above interim order would direct the respondents that they shall not take any precipitative/coercive steps against the petitioner in relation to the subject temple or his residence, in any manner. 3. It is alleged by the complainant that on 16.03.2025 the respondents entered along with their own pandith and hindered the routine daily pooja, which is blatant violation of the interim order dated 14.02.2023. The above allegation is not supported by any document. It is only assertion of the complainant. The complainant has not lodged any police complaint also. It is also alleged that the respondents were cutting power and water supply to the complainant’s residence with an ulterior motive and complainant is forced to remove himself from the premises, which allegation is also not supported by any material. 4. Except issuing legal notice dated 16.03.2025, the complainant has not initiated any action or proceedings. The contempt jurisdiction is to be exercised by the Courts sparingly. The complainant has to make out minimum prima facie case for issuance of notice. - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:6351-DB CCC No. 100112 of 2025 5. In the instant case, we are of the considered view that the complainant has not made out a case even to issue notice to the respondents/accused. In the above circumstances, the above contempt petition is dismissed. Sd/- (S G PANDIT) JUDGE Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE MRK CT: UMD List No.: 1 Sl No.: 10