- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34916 WP No. 13342 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 13342 OF 2026 (GM-R/C) BETWEEN: SRI. CHETAN T.P. S/O. LATE PUTTASWAMY AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, ARCHAKARU / PRIEST OF SRI MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE, THATE KERE HONAKERE HOBLI, NAGAMANGALA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SURENDRA KUMAR N, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER PANDUPURA SUB DIVISION, PANDUPURA - 571 434. 2. THE TAHASILDAR, NAGAMANGALA TALK, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 418. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHAMANT NAIK, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34916 WP No. 13342 of 2026 DIRECTION AND THEREBY QUASH AN OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM PASSED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TAHSILDHAR IN D.V.S.C.R.NO. 197/1986-87 DATED 31.01.2026 AND THEREBY PERMIT THE PETITIONER TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM THE POOJA OF THE MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE, THATE KERE, HONAKERE HOBLI, NAGAMANGALA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT PRODUCED ANNX-F AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a. To issue a Writ of Certorari or any other appropriate writ or direction and thereby quash an official memorandum passed by the 2nd respondent Tahsildhar in D.V.S.C.R.No. 197/1986- 87 dated 31.01.2026 and thereby permit the petitioner to continue to perform the pooja of the Mahalingeshwara Temple, Thate Kere, Honakere Hobli, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya District. Produced at Annexue-A. b. Grant such other relief/s as this Hon'ble Court deems fit to grant under the circumstances of the case in the interest of justice and equity. 2. Learned Additional Government Advocate accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 and 2. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34916 WP No. 13342 of 2026 3. What has been challenged is the denial of permission to perform pooja by the petitioner who claims to be a hereditary archak. 4. Such an order is appealable under Section 25-B(7) of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. 5. Reserving liberty to the petitioner to approach the appellate authority, the petition stands disposed. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE GJM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 7