- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28112 WP No. 1830 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 1830 OF 2026 (GM-KSR) BETWEEN: 1. MYSORE PENTECOSTAL ASSOCIATION A REGISTERED ASSOCIATION REGISTERED UNDER THE KARNATAKA SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1960 VIDE REGISTRATION NO. S.40/1970-71, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT DOOR NO. 3206/6, GOSPEL HALL., MOHAMMED SAIT BLOCK, MAHADEVAPURA ROAD, LASHKAR MOHALLA, MYSURU - 570 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY PASTER. SAM VICTOR K S, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS. … PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAVINSON M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES MYSURU DISTRICT, OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, MYSURU - 570 001. 2. PENTECOSTAL ASSOCIATION REGISTERED VIDE REGISTRATION NO.558/02-03, DATED 14.02.2003, HAVING ITS OFFICE AT DOOR NO. 3206/29S, MOHAMMED SAIT BLOCK, LASHKAR MOHALLA, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28112 WP No. 1830 of 2026 MYSURU - 570 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT / SECRETARY. … RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. C.H. DEVARAJ, GOVERNMENT ADVOCATE) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1, REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES, MYSURU DISTRICT, TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER ASSOCIATION VIDE ANNEXURE-F DATED 20.04.2015 AND TO CONDUCT AN ENQUIRY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE KARNATAKA SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1960, AND TO CANCEL THE REGISTRATION OF RESPONDENT NO.2 BEARING REGISTRATION NO. 558/02-03 DATED 14.02.2003, ANNEXURE-E AS BEING ILLEGAL, DUPLICATE AND CONTRARY TO LAW ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.1 AND ETC. THIS WRIT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a. Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent No.1, Registrar of Societies, Mysuru District, to consider the representations submitted by the Petitioner Association vide Annexure-F dated 20.04.2015 and to conduct an enquiry in accordance with the provisions of the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, and to cancel the registration of Respondent No.2 bearing Registration No.558/02-03 dated 14.02.2003, Annexure-E as being illegal, duplicate and contrary to law issued by Respondent No.1; b. Direct the Respondent No.1 to pass a reasoned and speaking order on the Petitioner's representation within a time-bound period as - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28112 WP No. 1830 of 2026 may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court vide Annexure F dated 20.04.2015; c. Grant such other order or relief as this Hon'ble court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity. 2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner has been registered in the year 1970-71. Respondent No.2 has also been subsequently registered in the year 2003. The name of the petitioner being Mysore Pentecostal Association, respondent No.2 is permitted to be registered in the name of Pentecostal Association. His submission is that respondent No.1 ought not to have permitted such registration and there is a possibility of a confusion which is likely to occur. 3. The usage of the word “Pentecostal” denotes a particular denomination under the Christian faith. It is descriptive of that particular denomination, as such the petitioner in my considered opinion cannot have a monopoly over the usage of the said word in the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:28112 WP No. 1830 of 2026 name of the Association preventing anyone else from using the said name in the Association. 4. In that view of the matter, the registration of respondent No.2 with the Registrar of Societies - Respondent No.1 cannot be found fault with. The reliefs which are sought for therefore cannot be granted. 5. The Petition stands dismissed. Reserving liberty to the petitioner to agitate any other issue which is inter se between the petitioner and respondent No.2 in the appropriate forum. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE SR List No.: 1 Sl No.: 48