- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 1955 OF 2026 (GM-R/C) BETWEEN: SRI. K. SATISH S/O J.C. KRISHNAPPA, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, EX-PRESIDENT, SRI DHARMARAYA SWAMY TEMPLE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, O.T.C. ROAD, THIGALARAPETE, BENGALURU 560 002. R/AT NO.2, ALARAJ MUNISWAMAPPA LANE, S.P. ROAD, THIGALARAPETE, BENGALURU 560 002. &PETITIONER (BY SRI. VARAPRASAD K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BENGALURU URBAN DISTRICT, BEHIND KANDAYA BHAVAN, K.G. ROAD, BENGALURU 560 009. 2. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER, BRUHAT BENGALURU MAHANAGARA PALIKE, HEAD OFFICE, N.R. SQUARE, BENGALURU 560 002. Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 3. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SRI RAYARAYA KALYANA MANTAPA AND GROUP OF TEMPLES, SHANKARAPURAM, CHAMARAJAPET, BENGALURU 560 018. &RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. AMARAVATHY H.R., AGA FOR R1 SRI. BATHE GOWDA K.V., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS WRIT PETITION FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO-DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO RELEASE A SUM OF RS. 1,39,38,025/- (ONE CRORE THIRTY-NINE LAKHS THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE) TO THE PETITIONER TOWARDS THE EXPENSES INCURRED TOWARDS KARAGA CELEBRATIONS OF APRIL 2025 BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATIONS DTD 04.08.2025 AND 05.08.2025 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER VIDE ANNX- H, H1 AND H2 FORTHWITH. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER Petitioner has filed the captioned petition seeking the following reliefs: "(a) Issue a Writ in the nature of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to release a sum of Rs.1,39,38,025/- (One Crore Thirty-nine Lakhs Thirty-eight Thousand Twenty-Five) to the petitioner - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 towards the expenses incurred towards Karaga celebrations of April 2025 by considering the representations dated 04.08.2025 and 05.08.2025 submitted by the petitioner vide Annexures-H, H1 and H2, forthwith; (b) Pass such other orders or directions as this Hon'ble Court deems just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 2. The petitioner3Committee is before this Court being aggrieved by the inaction on the part of the respondents in not releasing a sum of Rs.1,39,38,025/- (Rupees One Crore Thirty-Nine Lakhs Thirty-Eight Thousand and Twenty-Five only) towards the expenses allegedly incurred for conducting the Karaga celebrations held in April 2025. It is the specific case of the petitioner that pursuant to a notification issued by respondent No.1 inviting applications from devotees/general public for constitution of Management Committees to 8B9 and 8C9 category temples under the control of the Muzrai - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 Department, the petitioner3temple, which falls under 8B9 category, was also notified. The then President of Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple submitted an application, and upon due verification, respondent No.1 constituted a Management Committee for the petitioner3temple for a tenure of three (3) years, which was to expire on 21.03.2025. It is further contended that the Committee had undertaken all necessary preparatory arrangements for conducting the Karaga Mahotsava for the year 2025. According to the petitioner, despite there being a resolution and a requirement on the part of the authorities to release the sanctioned amount at least one month prior to the commencement of the celebrations, and notwithstanding repeated representations and requests, the respondents failed to transfer the said amount to the bank account of the Management Committee. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 3. The petitioner3Committee further asserts that notwithstanding the failure on the part of the respondents to release the requisite funds, the Karaga celebrations for the year 2025 were conducted without interruption. It is specifically pleaded that in order to ensure that the religious event was not disrupted, the members of the Committee were constrained to mobilize funds by borrowing from friends, relatives and well-wishers, and accordingly incurred substantial expenditure towards the conduct of the said festival. 4. In order to substantiate that the Karaga Mahotsava for the year 2025 was in fact conducted, the petitioner has placed reliance on various newspaper reports and publications, which are produced along with the petition. 5. Alleging that despite completion of the celebrations and submission of representations, the respondents have not taken any steps to release the - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 amount claimed towards reimbursement of expenses, the petitioner is constrained to approach this Court seeking appropriate relief. 6. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for respondent No.13Deputy Commissioner, as well as the learned counsel appearing for the BBMP, on instructions, submit that the representations submitted by the petitioner, as evidenced at Annexures3H, H1 and H2, will be considered strictly in accordance with law, and appropriate orders would be passed on the claim of the petitioner. 7. Recording the aforesaid submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the respondents, this Court proceeds to pass the following: ORDER (i) The writ petition is allowed in part; (ii) A writ in the nature of mandamus is issued directing the respondents to consider and - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15757 WP No. 1955 of 2026 dispose of the representations submitted by the petitioner, produced at Annexures3H, H1 and H2, strictly in accordance with law, and upon due verification of the petitioner9s claim with regard to the expenses allegedly incurred towards conduct of Karaga Mahotsava, April 2025; (iii) While undertaking the said exercise, the respondents shall afford an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and examine all relevant records, including supporting documents relied upon by the petitioner; (iv) The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within an outer limit of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order; (v) All contentions of the parties are kept open. SD/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE CA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 56