- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE M G UMA WRIT PETITION NO. 26234 OF 2025 (CS-EL/M) BETWEEN: 1. B RAJU S/O LATE BOOLEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS VALAGEREDODDI VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430, SL NO.4 MEMBERSHIP NO.21 2. CHIKKATHAYAMMA D/O SANNAMMA AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.5, MEMBERSHIP NO. 27 3. PUTTASIDDAMMA W/O KARIYAPPA AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.7, MEMBERSHIP NO. 33 4. SHIVALINGEGOWDA S/O LATE K. JAVAREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 81 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.9, MEMBERSHIP NO. 37 Digitally signed by NANDINI B G Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 5. SIDDAMMA W/O SHIVANNA AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.11, MEMBERSHIP NO. 49 6. CHIKKATHAYAMMA W/O NINGAIAH AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.15, MEMBERSHIP NO. 73 7. SHASHIKALA W/O SHIVALINGEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.17, MEMBERSHIP NO. 83 8. VENKATAMMA W/O MARIYAIAH AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.19, MEMBERSHIP NO. 88 9. SHIVARAMU S/O LATE VISHANKATEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SLNO.22, MEMBERSHIP NO. 94 10. YASHODHAMMA W/O LATE RAMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.25, MEMBERSHIP NO. 103 11. DODDATHAYAMMA W/O LATE MOTEGOWDARA RAMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430, SLNO.26, MEMBERSHIP NO. 106 12. MALLEGOWDA S/O LATE BASAVEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.32, MEMBERSHIP NO. 133 13. K.S. POORNIMA D/O SIDDEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.34, MEMBERSHIP NO. 135 14. KEMPAJAMMA W/O RAMACHANDREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.36, MEMBERSHIP NO. 137 15. ANDANIGOWDA S/O HOTTEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.37, MEMBERSHIP NO. 138 16. PARVATHI W/O RAMALINGEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 SL NO.39, MEMBERSHIP NO. 144 17. KARIGOWDA S/O CHORDAR BOREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 76 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.42, MEMBERSHIP NO. 152 18. BHAGYAMMA W/O CHANNEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.44, MEMBERSHIP NO. 164 19. CHANNEGOWDA S/O CHIKKAMAYAMMA AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430, SL NO.47, MEMBERSHIP NO. 181 20. H.M.ANAND S/O PUTTAMADAPPA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.50, MEMBERSHIP NO. 192 21. H.R.RAVINDRANATH S/O H.V.RUDRAPPA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.51, MEMBERSHIP NO. 193 22. DEVAMMA D/O LATE THAMMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.53, MEMBERSHIP NO. 205 - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 23. H.SIDDEGOWDA S/O LATE HUCHCHEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.55, MEMBERSHIP NO. 217 24. ANVAER PASHA S/O RIYAN TAJ AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.57, MEMBERSHIP NO. 219 25. ANANDA S/O LATE SHIVANNA AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.61, MEMBERSHIP NO. 239 26. BHYRAVAIAH S/O CHIKKAKATAKAIAH AGED ABOUT 88 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.62, MEMBERSHIP NO. 241 27. GOWRAMMA W/O LATE MADEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS VALEGEREDODDI VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.64, MEMBERSHIP NO. 243 28. SOMASHEKARAMURTHY S/O LATE RUDRAPPA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.65 MEMBERSHIP NO. 247 29. V.T. CHINNAPPA S/O LATE THIMMEGOWDA - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS VALAGEREDODDI VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 430 SL NO.66, MEMBERSHIP NO. 249 30. KALESHA S/O THAMMAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.67, MEMBERSHIP NO. 251 31. SIDDAPPAJI S/O KARIYAPPACHARI AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.70, MEMBERSHIP NO. 261 32. JAYALAKSHMAMMA W/O LATE MAYIGOWDA AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.71, MEMBERSHIP NO. 272 33. RAMESHA S/O MARIGOWDA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.74, MEMBERSHIP NO. 290 34. H.V. RAJEGOWDA S/O VEERABHADREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.75, MEMBERSHIP NO. 291, 35. CHIKKANINGAMMA W/O NINGEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.76, MEMBERSHIP NO. 292 36. GURUVEGOWDA S/O LATE THAMMAIAH AGED ABOUT 82 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.78, MEMBERSHIP NO. 299 37. N. PRASANNA S/O LATE NANJUNDEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS HALAGUR VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.79, MEMBERSHIP NO. 302 38. SIDDEGOWDA S/O LATE KEMPEGOWDA K.M AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.81, MEMBERSHIP NO. 309 39. RAVI S/O MARIGOWDA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.87, MEMBERSHIP NO. 331 40. C. KUMAR S/O CHIKKA THIMMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 SL NO.88, MEMBERSHIP NO. 333 41. C. RAVI S/O CHIKKARAMAIAH AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571430 - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 SL NO.91, MEMBERSHIP NO. 345 42. MANGALAMMA W/O SHIVARAJU AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS KONNAPURA CILLAGE, MALLAVALLI TALUK MANDYA DISTRICT - 571430 SL NO 93, MEMBERSHIP NO. 350 43. KEMPAMMA W/O CHIKKEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, HALAGUR HOBLLI, MALAVALLI TALUKL, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 94 MEMBERHIP NO. 352 44. BASAVANNA S/O M.C.BASAVANNA AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS HANDANAHALLI LVILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 95 MEMBERSHIP NO. 356 45. SHIVARAJU S/O CHIKKATHIMMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 97 MEMBERSHIP NO. 360 46. INDRAMMA W/O LATE RAMKRISHNEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 102 MEMBERSHIP NO. 369 47. SHARADAMMA W/O NAGEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS KONNAPUIRA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK LLMANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL/NO 103 MEMBERSHIP NO. 374 - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 48. RAVI KUMAR S/O PUTTASWAMY AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 104 MEMBERSHIP NO. 376 49. RATHNAMMA W/O SIDDEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, KONNAPURA CILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 105 MEMBERSHIP NO. 378 50. RAJU S/O BOREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO.106 MEMBERSHIP NO. 382 51. GOPALA S/O MAYIGOWDA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 107 MEMBERSHIP NO. 385 52. SAVITHA W/O LATE RAMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL/ NO 109 MEMBERSHIP NO. 394 53. MALLAMMA W/O MARIKONDEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO.111 MEMBERSHIP NO. 443 54. PRAKASH S/O LINGEGOWDA - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS HANDANAHALLI VILLAGE, MALAVALI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL.NO 115 MEMBERSHIP NO. 453 55. KEMPAMMA W/O DODDAMAYIGOWDA AGED ABOUT 75 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 119 MEMBERSHIP NO. 475 56. SAMPATH K S/O KEMPEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430, SL NO 122 MEMBERSHIP NO. 516 57. CHANDRAMMA W/O LATE BYARAVAIAH AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO 125 MEMBERSHIP NO. 585 58. SHIVAMMA W/OLATE SHIVARAMU AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS KONNAPURA VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO.128 MEMBERSHIP NO. 591 59. NAVEENAMMA W/O RAMEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS HANDANAHALLI VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 SL NO.129 MEMBERSHIP NO. 599 (BENEFITS OF SENIOR CITIZEN NOT CLAIMED) …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. MANJE GOWDA B.V. ADVOCATE FOR SRI. K.A. CHANDRASHEKARA, ADVOCATE) - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 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. 2. THE STATE CO OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY 3RD FLOOR T.T.M.C., 'A' BLOCK SHANTHI NAGAR BENGALURU 560027 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY 3. DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER AND DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, MANDYA DISTRICT MANDYA - 571 421 4. RETURNING OFFICER, KONNAPURA MILK PRODUCERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD KONNAPURA MALAVALLI TALUK MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 5. KONNAPURU MILK PRODUCERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD KONNAPURA, MALAVALLI TALUK MANDYA DISTRICT 571430 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY 6. SRI. VENKATESH .K.Y, S/O SRI. YALAKKI GOWDA, AGE: 40 YEARS, R/AT: CTP ROAD, HALAGURU VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 430. 7. SRI. MAHESH K.C., S/O. LATE. CHIKKA SIDDEGOWDA, AGE: 46 YEARS, R/AT: JPM LAYOUT, HALAGURU VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 430. - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 8. SRI. DEVARAJU K.S., S/O. SRI. SONNEGOWDA, AGE: 44 YEARS, R/AT: KONNAPURA VILLAGE, HALAGURU VILLAGE, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571430. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. YOGESH .D. NAIK, AGA FOR R1, 3 & 4 SRI. A. DEVARAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R2 (ABSENT) SRI. SIDDHARATH .B. MUCHANDI, ADVOCATE FOR R5 (ABSENT) SRI. B. RAVINDRA PRASAD, ADVOCATE FOR R6 TO 8) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO (1). ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO PERMIT THE PETITIONERS TO EXERCISE THEIR VOTES IN THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON 31/08/2025 VIDE ANNEXURE-A TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE 5TH RESPONDENT AND ETC., THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR HEARING - INTERLOCUTORY APPLN, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE M G UMA ORAL ORDER The petitioners have approached this Court seeking issuance of writ in the nature of mandamus directing respondents to permit them to cast their votes in the elections for respondent No.5 - Board of Directors, which is scheduled to be held on 31.08.2025. - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 2. Heard Sri. Manjegowda B.V., learned counsel for Sri.K.A.Chandrashekara, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri. Yogesh D.Naik, learned Additional Government Advocate for respondent Nos.1, 3 and 4, Sri.B.Ravindra Prasad, learned counsel for respondent Nos.6 to 8. Perused the materials on record. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that, as per order dated 29.08.2025, petitioners have cast their votes in the election held on 31.08.2025 to the managing committee of respondent No.5. However, respondent No.4 has not yet declared the results, inspite of there being specific direction. 4. Learned Additional Government Advocate submits that petitioners could raise all these contentions before the appropriate authority by invoking Section 70 of the Karnataka Cooperative Societies Act (for short 'the Act'). Therefore, petition is not maintainable. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioners has no objection for this Court dispose of the petition reserving liberty with the - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:43280 WP No. 26234 of 2025 petitioner to approach the Registrar of Cooperative Societies to raise dispute under Section 70 of the Act. 6. Submissions are placed on record. 7. In view of the above, the petition is disposed of by reserving liberty with the petitioners to approach the Registrar of Cooperative Societies by raising the dispute under Section 70 of the Act, if he is advised to do so, within two weeks from today. In the meantime, respondent No.4 is directed to declare the results of the election, which is already held. 8. Interim order directing to keep the votes cast by the petitioners in a separate box and the same shall not be counted for the purpose of declaration of results, is made obsolete. Sd/- (M G UMA) JUDGE BH CT:VS List No.: 3 Sl No.: 8