- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.P.VIVEKANANDA WRIT PETITION NO. 27256 OF 2026 (GM-RES-PIL) BETWEEN: 1. MRS. RATHNA K., W/O LATE CHANDRASHEKARA K M AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, R/AT.1-105/12, RACHITHA NILAYA DHUMAVATHI ROAD, PUTTUR, NEHARUNAGARA-574203 PAN NO.EOMPK0054Q ADHAAR NO. 3638 1647 1202 2. MR. HARISH KUMAR M., S/O NARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, R/AT 6-23, MINIPADAVU HOUSE, ARYAPU, KAIKARA-574210. PAN NO.AWGPM5217R ADHAAR NO.6924 4652 6799 3. MR. PADMANABHA G., S/O VISHWANATHA G, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, R/AT NO.9-2-507-13, PAVAMANA NIVASA HANDRATTA, Digitally signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 NEAR RAILWAY STATION, PADEEL, PUTTUR-574201. PAN NO.CJRPG2620Q ADHAAR NO.7920 5157 5708 4. MR. K. ANIL KUMAR, S/O K VEERAPPA POOJARY, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, R/AT NO.1-54, KANNARNOOJI HOUSE, MUNDOOR POST AND VILLAGE, PUTTUR-574202. PAN NO. AJIPA4691E ADHAAR NO. 9570 7554 5779 5. MR. RAJESH J., S/O KRISHNA MANIYANI, AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS, R/AT NATTOJI COMPOUND, NEAR OLD TRAFFIC POLICE STATION, PUTTUR-574201. PAN NO.BGJPJ1278D ADHAAR NO.8458 6252 2630 6. MR. P. SHRIDHARA, S/O LATE SHESHAPPA POOJARY, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, R/AT 1-57 E, ATHREYA NILAYA, MUNDOOR POST, PUTTUR-574202. PAN NO.BHFPS1912N ADHAAR NO.6787 1109 6296 7. MR. VASUDEVA ACHARYA S, S/O SHIVANNA ACHARYA, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, R/AT NO.1-150/2, SANKESHA HOUSE, - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 ANANTHADI VILLAGE AND PANCHAYATH, BANTWAL TALUK-574253. PAN NO.ASRPA6765B ADHAAR NO.4168 0560 4385 …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. AJAY PRABHU M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND ENDOWMENT FUND, 4TH FLOOR, MINTO SHRI ANJANEYA BHAVAN, AALOORU VENKATA RAO ROAD, CHAMRAJPET, BENGALURU-18. 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND ENDOWMENT FUND, D.K., MANGALURU-575001 3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND ENDOWMENT FUND, D.K., MANGALURU-575001 4. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SRI MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE, PUTTUR TALUK, PUTTUR, D.K.-574201. 5. THE PRESIDENT, THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 SRI MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE, PUTTUR TALUK, PUTTUR, D.K.-574201. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. S.R.KHAMROZ KHAN, AGA FOR R1 TO R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, R/W RULE 14(1) OF THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA (PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION) RULES, 2018, PRAYING TO ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS IN THE NATURE OF DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENTS RECONSIDER THE PROPOSAL OF FORMATION OF 30 FEET ROAD ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE TEMPLE AFTER ISSUING PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED FORMATION OF ADDITIONAL ROAD AND AFTER SEEKING SUGGESTIONS OR INPUTS FROM DEVOTEES AND GENERAL PUBLIC BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATION DATED 28.07.2026 TO RESPONDENT No.1 AND 2, REPRESENTATION DATED 03.08.2026 TO RESPONDENT No.5 BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PETITIONERS HEREIN AS PER ANNEXURE-A TO A2. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.P.VIVEKANANDA - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 ORAL JUDGMENT (PER: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN) We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in the matter. 2. This writ petition is filed seeking to issue writ of mandamus in the nature of direction to the respondents reconsider the proposal of formation of 30 feet road on the northern side of the temple after issuing public notice regarding proposed formation of additional road and after seeking suggestions or inputs from devotees and general public by considering the representation dated 28.07.2026 to Respondent No.1 and 2, Representation dated 03.08.2026 to Respondent No.5 by considering the representations of the Petitioners herein as per Annexure - A to A2. 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that though several representations have been preferred before all the concerned authorities, no steps are being taken to consider them or to stop the illegal actions of respondent No.5. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners specifically points out Annexure 'A2' - representation - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 dated 03.08.2026 raising the contentions with regard to the construction of a 30 feet wide road on the northern side of the temple. It is submitted that though the representation was submitted pointing out that the construction is completely unnecessary and is against the interests of the temple, no steps have been taken thereon. 4. Having heard the learned Additional Government Advocate and in view of the specific provisions of Section 51 of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 ('1997 Act' for short), we are of the opinion that when a representation seeking orders to be passed for protection of the property of the temple is made by devotees of the temple, it is for the Commissioner to consider the same. 5. In the nature of the order being passed, issuance of notice to respondents No.4 and 5 is dispensed with. 6. In the above view of the matter, this writ petition is disposed of directing respondent No.1 to consider and pass orders on Annexure 'A2' - representation preferred by the - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010607832026 NC: 2026:KHC:49546-DB WP No. 27256 of 2026 petitioners, after hearing the petitioners as well as respondents No.4 and 5 and any other necessary parties, in accordance with law. It is made clear that in the nature of the allegations raised by the petitioners, the necessity for passing any interdictory orders shall also be duly considered by respondent No.1 at the earliest. 7. In case, the writ petitioners have any grievance with regard to the conduct of the affairs of the temple, it is for them to approach the appropriate authorities under the provisions of the 1997 Act, in accordance with law. Sd/- (ANU SIVARAMAN) JUDGE Sd/- (T.P.VIVEKANANDA) JUDGE RAK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 14