- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:16497 WP No. 105906 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION NO. 105906 OF 2024 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SHREE SHIDDAPAP BYATANAL S/O. IARAPPA BYATARAL, AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUSNUR VILLAGE TQ. HANGAL, DIST. HAVERI 581120. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. M R HIREMATHAD, AND SRI. PRAKASH R. BADIGER, ADVOCATES) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY THE SECRETARY-2 DEPARTMENT OF BACKWARD CLASS WELFARE DEAPRTMENT VIKAS SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VIDHI, BANGALORE 580002. 2. DEPARTMENT OF BACKWARD CLASS WELFARE DEPARTMENT REP. BY THE SECRETARY-2 DEPARTMENT OF BACKWARD CLASS WELFARE DEAPRTMENT VIKAS SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VIDHI BANGALORE 580002 3. DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF BACKWARD CLASS WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVERI DISTRICT HAVERI HAVERI 581110 4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER TALLUK PANCHAYAT HANGAL 581120 VISHAL NINGAPPA PATTIHAL Digitally signed by VISHAL NINGAPPA PATTIHAL Location: High Court of Karnataka Dharwad Bench - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:16497 WP No. 105906 of 2024 5. THE PDO GRAM PANCHAYAT KUSNUR TQ. HANAGAL AND DIST. HAVERI 581104 6. SECRETARY, KUSNUR GRAM PANCHAYAT R/O KUSNUR VILLAGE TQ. HANGAL AND DIST. HAVERI 581110 7. SHREE MA.NI.PRA KUMARPRABHU MAHASWAMIGAL SMARKA SEVA TRUST (R) SAMSTHAN MATH, JADE TQ. SORABH, DIST. SHIVAMOGGA 577429. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. T.HANUMAREDDY, AGA FOR R1 TO R4; SRI. M.T. BANGI, ADVOCATE FOR R7; R5, R6 AND R8 ARE SERVED) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO: A) ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE CERTIORARI TO SET ASIDE THE ENDORSEMENT DATED 21.03.2024 IN IT S BEARING NO. SANKYE/ HIM VA KA 307 BMS 2024 ISSUED BY THE RESPONDENT NO. 1, VIDE ANNEXURE -F. B) ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS AND DIRECTION TO RESPONDENT S NO. 1 TO 4 TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION MADE BY THE PETITIONER DATED 30.07.2024 VIDE ANNEXURE-G. C) GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEF/S THIS HON BLE COURT DEEMS FIT IN THE CASE ON HAND. THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:16497 WP No. 105906 of 2024 ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA) 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking the following prayer: A) “Issue a writ in the nature certiorari to set aside the endorsement dated 21.03.2024 in it s bearing No.SANKYE/ HIM VA KA 307 BMS 2024 issued by the Respondent No.1, vide Annexure -F. B) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus and direction to respondent’s No. 1 to 4 to consider the representation made by the petitioner dated 30.07.2024 vide Annexure- G. C) Grant such other relief/s this Hon’ble court deems fit in the case on hand.” 2. The petitioner is stated to be a resident of a village in which the Virakta Math Shiva Pujappa Ajjanavar Gadduge is situated. The issue pertains to the grant of Rs.50,00,000/- sanctioned by the State, which is alleged to have been diverted to another mutt, namely the Jade Sansthana Mathad Shakha Math. The mutt to which the petitioner claims to be a devotee is said to be a branch or otherwise connected to the aforesaid mutt. 3. The State Government, in its wisdom, sanctioned a sum of Rs.50,00,000/- for the construction of a Samudaya - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:16497 WP No. 105906 of 2024 Bhavan. The initial allocation is said to have included the name of Virakta Math Shiva Pujappa Ajjanavar Gadduge. However, it is contended that the State Government subsequently transferred the amount to the other mutt. The petitioner, claiming to be a devotee, is aggrieved by the said transfer. 4. If at all anyone can be considered an aggrieved party, it would be the Virakta Math Shiva Pujappa Ajjanavar Gadduge itself, and not the petitioner as a devotee or resident of the village. 5. In that light, finding the petitioner lacking in locus standi, the petition stands rejected. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE AC CT:ANB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 12