- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION NO. 107673 OF 2024 (CS-EL/M) BETWEEN: 1. SHRI VEERABHADRA GURAPPA IRANNAVAR AGE: 83 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.01, MEMBERSHIP NO.362) 2. SHRI SIDDAPPA DURGAPPA VADENNAVAR AGE: 83 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.03, MEMBERSHIP NO.389) 3. SMT GANGAVVA SHIVAJI KAMATI, AGE: 80 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.04, MEMBERSHIP NO.449) 4. SMT SAVITRI KADAYYA HUKKERI AGE: 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.23, MEMBERSHIP NO.810) 5. SMT SUMITRA BASAVARAJ MAGADUMMA AGE: 70 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.24, MEMBERSHIP NO.834) Digitally signed by VISHAL NINGAPPA PATTIHAL Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 6. SHRI PRABHULINGA DUNDAIYYA HIREMATH AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.27, MEMBERSHIP NO.845) 7. SHRI KEMPAIYYA SHANKARAIYYA HIREMATH AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.28, MEMBERSHIP NO.852) 8. SMT BASAVANNI SHANKAR KHILARI AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.36, MEMBERSHIP NO.896) 9. SHRI PRAKASH MALLAPPA PATIL AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.40, MEMBERSHIP NO.907) 10. SMT SAROJINI SURESH NASHIPUDI AGE: 59 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.42, MEMBERSHIP NO.917) 11. SHRI SHIVASHANKAR GURAPPA IRANNAVAR AGE: 58 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.43, MEMBERSHIP NO.927) 12. SHRI SIDDAPPA ANAND NINGAPPA GIDAGARA AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.45, MEMBERSHIP NO.935) - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 13. SHRI KEMPARAJ SHIDAGOUDA PATIL AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.47, MEMBERSHIP NO.951) 14. SHRI KAREPPA SHIDARAMA GOLAVI AGE: 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.51, MEMBERSHIP NO.967) 15. SHRI HONNAPPA SATTEPPA GIJHAVANI AGE: 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.56, MEMBERSHIP NO.991) 16. SMT AKKAMAHADEVI ASHOK PATIL AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.57, MEMBERSHIP NO.992) 17. SMT SUMITRA UDYEPPA BADESAGOL AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.59, MEMBERSHIP NO.1004) 18. SHRI KADAPPA BALAPPA KUDNURI AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.60, MEMBERSHIP NO.1021) 19. SHRI KEMPANNA MALLAPPA GUDASI AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.62, MEMBERSHIP NO.1038) - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 20. SHRI ANAND SIDDAPPA PUJERI AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.71, MEMBERSHIP NO.1082) 21. SHRI SHANKAR GURUSIDDA KARAGUPPI AGE: 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.79, MEMBERSHIP NO.1174) 22. SHRI MALLAPPA DUNDAPPA KARAGUPPI AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.81, MEMBERSHIP NO.1181) 23. SHRI RAVINDRA CHANDRASHEKAR BADIGER AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.107, MEMBERSHIP NO.1311) 24. SHRI SHIVARAJ CHANDRASHEKHAR BADIGER AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.108, MEMBERSHIP NO.1312) 25. SHRI GANGAPPA SIDDAPPA PUJERI AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.124, MEMBERSHIP NO.1379) 26. SMT NEELAVVA PUNDALIKA GUDASI AGE: 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.131, MEMBERSHIP NO.1392) - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 27. SHRI GAJANAN ARUN MAGADUMMA AGE: 41 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.133, MEMBERSHIP NO.1396) 28. SHRI NINGAPPA GURAPPA IRANNAVAR AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.140, MEMBERSHIP NO.1407) 29. SHRI SHIVAPARASAD BASAVARAJ SHIRAGANNAVAR AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.167, MEMBERSHIP NO.1483) 30. SHRI IRANNA KALLAPPA MAGADUMMA AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.176, MEMBERSHIP NO.1500) 31. SHRI SAGAR PRAKASH PATIL AGE: 41 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: BELAGAVI-591309. (SL.NO.85, MEMBERSHIP NO.1200) 32. SHRI KADAPPA SHIDHARAM KARAGUPPI AGE: 85 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.1, MEMBERSHIP NO.361) 33. SMT RANJANA BASAVARAJ SHIRAGANNAVAR AGE: 47 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 (SL.NO.48, MEMBERSHIP NO.1031) 34. SMT SHAILA SHIVALINGA SAVALAGI AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.57, MEMBERSHIP NO.1087) 35. SHRI SHIVALINGA BASAPPA SAVALAGI AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.58, MEMBERSHIP NO.1097) 36. SMT GANGAVVA VEERUPAKSHI GUDASI AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.64, MEMBERSHIP NO.1191) 37. SHRI BABU SHRIKANT CHAUGALA AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.77, MEMBERSHIP NO.1241) 38. SMT MAHADEVI SHIRKANT CHAUGALA AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.78, MEMBERSHIP NO.1242) 39. SMT SAVITRI PARAGOUDA GUDASI AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.81, MEMBERSHIP NO.1246) - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 40. SHRI RAMESH BASAVANNI BORAGALLI AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURIST, R/O: KURANE TQ: HUKKERI, DIST: U.K.-581355. (SL.NO.85, MEMBERSHIP NO.1365) …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. LINGESH V. KATTEMANE, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION M.S. BUILDING BENGALURU-560001. 2. THE STATE CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY 3 RD FLOOR, A-BLOCK, SHANTI NAGAR T.T.M.C. BUILDING BENGALURU-560002 REPRESENTED BY ITS COMMISSIONER. 3. THE DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER & DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, HUKKERI, BELAGAVI DISTRICT-591309. 4. THE RETURNING OFFICER, VIVIDDHODESHAGALA PRATHAMIKA GRAMEENA KRUSHI PATTINA SAHAKARA SANGHA NI, KURANE HUKKERI -591309, BELAGAVI DISTRICT. 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VIVIDOSHAGALA PRATHAMIKA KRUSHIPATTINA SAHAKARI SANGHA NI, KURANE HUKKERI -591309. BELAGAVI DISTRICT. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. KIRTHILATA R. PATIL, HCGP FOR R1 & R3, SRI. G.V. BHARAMAGOUDAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2 & R4) - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA IS PRAYING TO, ISSUE APPROPRIATE WRIT IN THE NATURE TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED NON ELIGIBLE BORROWER AND NON BORROWERS FINAL VOTERS LIST PUBLISHED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT VIDE ANNEXURE-C AND C1 DATED. 20.12.2023 IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO PUBLISH FRESH FINAL ELIGIBLE BORROWERS/NON BORROWERS MEMBER VOTER LIST BY INCLUDING THE NAME OF PETITIONERS IN THE FINAL ELIGIBLE BORROWER/NON BORROWER VOTER LIST IN THE ELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE 4TH RESPONDENT SOCIETY SCHEDULE TO BE HELD ON 21.12.2024 IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING: 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: - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 “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; (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 - 10 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 8.11.20211 does not meet these requirements. In fact, it is admitted on behalf of the respondents 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 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. - 11 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 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 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 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:— - 12 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 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 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.” (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. - 13 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:2500 WP No. 107673 of 2024 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 RHR/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 78