- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010520092026 NC: 2026:KHC:46363 WP No. 23864 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 23864 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: FRANCIS DIXON CORREA AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, OCC: RAILWAYS S/O LATE C.J. MARCEL RESIDING AT NO.3377/2, LOURD NAGAR, NEAR GOOD SHEPHERD PU COLLEGE, MYSURU - 570 001. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. ROHIT L. SHEELVANT, ADVOCATE AND SRI. ABHISHEK CHARAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AND CHAIRMAN DISTRICT HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, MYSURU - 570 001. 2. THE COMMISSIONER, MYSURU DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SECRETARY, DISTRICT HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, JLB ROAD, MYSURU - 570 005. 3. THE COMMISSIONER, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010520092026 NC: 2026:KHC:46363 WP No. 23864 of 2026 DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE, PALACE NORTH GATE, MYSURU - 570 001. 4. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, JLB ROAD MYSURU MYSURU - 570 005. 5. THE COMMISSIONER, MYSURU CITY CORPORATION, SAYYAJI RAO ROAD, MYSURU - 570 001. 6. THE BISHOP OF MYSORE, BISHOPS HOUSE, C/O ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL CAMPUS, LASHKAR MOHALLA, MYSURU - 570 001. ALSO RESIDING AT 3845/M2 RAJAMAARGA, NELSON MANDELA ROAD, BANNIMANTAP, MYSURU KARNATAKA - 570 015. 7. THE PARISH PRIEST, C/O ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL (ST. PHILOMENA'S CHURCH), LASHKAR MOHALLA, MYSURU - 570 001. 8. AES ENTERPRISES, CHAMUNDIPURAM RAILWAY LAYOUT, MYSURU - 570 004 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHAMANTH NAIK, AGA FOR R1 AND R4) - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010520092026 NC: 2026:KHC:46363 WP No. 23864 of 2026 THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 TO 5 TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION DATED 22/06/2026, 03/07/2026 AND 20/07/2026 PRODUCED AT ANNEXURE-J, M AND N AND TO STOP UNSCIENTIFIC AND UNAUTHORIZED RENOVATION AND TO CONDUCT STRICT SCRUTINY OF THE PROPOSAL FOR RENOVATION AND FOR SCIENTIFIC CONSERVATION OF THE CRYPT OF ST PHILOMENAS CATHEDRAL, MYSURU IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY 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. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: "i) Issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction and directing the respondent No.1 to 5 to consider the representation dated 22/06/2026, 03/07/2026 and 20/07/2026 produced at Annexure-J, M & N and to stop unscientific and unauthorized renovation and to conduct strict scrutiny of the proposal for renovation and for scientific conservation of the Crypt of St Philomena's Cathedral, Mysuru in accordance with law in the interest of justice and equity. ii) Grant any other order or relief deemed fit in the circumstances of the case." - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010520092026 NC: 2026:KHC:46363 WP No. 23864 of 2026 2. It is brought to the notice of the petitioner that the reliefs which have been sought are more in the nature of public interest litigation. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the above petition and file a public interest litigation. 4. Reserving such liberty, the petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE HDK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 32