- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010838522025 NC: 2026:KHC:47139-DB CCC No. 1653 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI AND THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU CIVIL CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 1653 OF 2025 BETWEEN: VASANTHI @ VASANTHA LAXMI D/O LATE ANANTHESHWARA BHAT, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, R/AT 'SHREE DEVEE' ANILAKODI, SEDIYAPU, BANNUR VILLAGE AND POST, PUTTUR, D.K.DISTRICT-574 203. …COMPLAINANT (BY SRI. KESHAVA BHAT.A., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. DR. M.V.VENKATESH COMMISSIONER AND SECRETARY FOR THE RAJYA DHARMIKA PARISHAD DEPARTMENT OF HINDU RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS, 4TH FLOOR, MINTOSHREE ANJANEYA BHAVAN, ALLUR VENKATARAO ROAD, CHAMRAJPET, BANGALORE-560 018. …ACCUSED 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HINDU RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS, Digitally signed by SUMATHY KANNAN Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010838522025 NC: 2026:KHC:47139-DB CCC No. 1653 of 2025 VIDHANA SOUDHA, BANGALORE-560 001. …PROFORMA RESPONDENT (BY SMT. B.SUKANYA BALIGA., AGA FOR PROFORMA R2; A1-SERVED) THIS CCC IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 215 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, SECTIONS 11 AND 12 OF THE CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT, 1971, BY THE COMPLAINANT, WHEREIN PRAYS THAT THE HON’BLE COURT BE PLEASED TO PUNISH THE ACCUSED PERSONS APPROPRIATELY FOR DISOBEYING THE ORDER DATED 06.08.2025 PASSED BY THIS HON'BLE COURT IN W.P.NO.35009/2024 (GM-RC). THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI & HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE TARA VITASTA GANJU ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI) Learned counsel for the complainant alleges deliberate non-compliance of the order of the Writ Court. 2. Learned AGA is present, who presses the affidavit of compliance. 3. A complaint was filed alleging disobedience of the order dated 06.08.2025, passed by this court in Writ - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010838522025 NC: 2026:KHC:47139-DB CCC No. 1653 of 2025 petition No.35009/2024. A perusal of the order reflects that applications received pursuant to a publication dated 16.07.2024, by the Rajya Dharmika Parishad, in the light of the reports already filed were directed to be considered and the committee was required to be constituted within eight weeks. 4. In the compliance affidavit filed on 13.07.2026, in paragraph No.6 thereof, it is stated that in terms of the directions of this court, in the ninth meeting of the 4th State Religious Council held on 09.09.2025, it was unanimously decided to constitute a Management Committee comprising of nine members for a period of three years from the date of issuance of the order under Section 25 of the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 2011. Accordingly, on 05.12.2025, an order was passed pertaining to constitution of the Management Committee of Sri.Mahalingeshwara Temple situated in Puttur Taluk, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010838522025 NC: 2026:KHC:47139-DB CCC No. 1653 of 2025 Dakshina Kannada District. A copy of the order is also enclosed. 5. It is evident that the order of the court has been complied with. The contempt petition is accordingly consigned. Sd/- (JAYANT BANERJI) JUDGE Sd/- (TARA VITASTA GANJU) JUDGE JJ List No.: 1 Sl No.: 14