Karnataka High Court
Raju vs The Deputy Commissioner on 26 March, 2026
Author: S.Vishwajith Shetty
Bench: S.Vishwajith Shetty
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NC: 2026:KHC-K:2767
WP No. 201231 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
KALABURAGI BENCH
DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY
WRIT PETITION NO. 201231 OF 2026 (GM-R/C)
BETWEEN:
1. RAJU S/O HULIGAPPA POOJARY,
AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: PRIEST,
R/O NEAR SHANKARLING TEMPLE, AROLI VILLAGE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
2. SRI JAMADAGNI POOJARI,
S/O HULIGAPPA POOJARI,
AGE: 41 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O NEAR SHANKARLING TEMPLE, AROLI VILLAGE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
3. SHEKARAPPA S/O MUNIYAPPA POOJARI,
Digitally signed by AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
NIJAMUDDIN
JAMKHANDI R/O AROLI VILLAGE, NEAR HULIGEMMA TEMPLE,
Location: HIGH KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
4. SRI TIMMAPPA S/O SHEKARAPPA POOJARI,
AGE: 62 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O AROLI VILLAGE, NEAR HULIGEMMA TEMPLE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
5. SRI BALARAJU S/O NALLAREDDY,
AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O AROLI VILLAGE, NEAR HULIGEMMA TEMPLE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
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6. SRI NARASAPPA S/O RAMANNA,
AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O AROLI VILLAGE, NEAR HULIGEMMA TEMPLE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
7. SRI KRISHNAPPA S/O HULIGEPPA DONGOOR,
AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC; AGRICULTURE,
R/O AROLI VILLAGE, NEAR HULIGEMMA TEMPLE,
KURUDI HOBLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. JAYANANDAYYA, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
RAICHUR, DIST. RAICHUR- 584101.
2. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
RAICHUR, DIST. RAICHUR- 584101.
3. THE TAHASILDAR,
MANVI, TQ MANVI, DIST RAICHUR- 584123.
4. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE,
RAICHUR, DIST RAICHUR- 584101.
5. THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR,
AROLI, TQ MANVI DIST RAICHUR- 584203.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI MALLIKARJUN SAHUKAR, AGA FOR R1 TO R5)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226
AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO
A) ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS
TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION DATED 12.2.2026 AND
16.2.2026 AND 02.03.2026 AS PER ANNEXURE C, C1 TO C4 TO
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AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE
REPRESENTATIONS AND PERMIT THE PETITIONERS AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS TO PERFORM POOJA RITUALS OF THE
HULIGEMMA TEMPLE AROLI TQ: MANVI DIST: RAICHUR. B)
ISSUE ANY WRIT OR ORDER OR DIRECTIONS AS THIS HON'BLE
COURT DEEMS FIT IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY
ORAL ORDER
1. This writ petition under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India, is filed seeking for the following reliefs:
(a) Issue writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 12.02.2026 and 16.02.2026 and 02.03.2026 as per Annexures-C, C1 and C4 and direct the respondents to consider the representations and permit the petitioners and their family members to perform pooja rituals of the Huligemma Temple Aroli, taluk Manvi, District Raichur, in the interest of justice and equity;
(b) Issue any writ or order or directions as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the circumstances of the case, in the ends of justice and equity.
2. Heard the learned counsels for the parties. -4-
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3. Petitioners claim that, they have been performing Pooja and other rituals in Huligemma Temple, Aroli village, taluka Manvi, district Raichur and after a dispute arose between them and one Udaykumar Poojari, they had filed representation before the respondent No.3-Tahasildar on 12.02.2026 and 16.06.2026 vide Annexure-C series with a prayer to permit them and other family members to perform Pooja and other rituals in Huligemma Temple, Aroli village, taluka Manvi, district Raichur. The grievance of the petitioners is that, the said representations are not considered by the Tahasidar, till date.
4. Learned Additional Government Advocate on instructions submits that, the representation of the petitioners and the representation of the aforesaid Udaykumar was considered by the Tahasildar in the light of the interim order passed by this Court in W.P.No.200235/2026 and also the order dated 09.03.2026 by the Deputy Commissioner and the Tahasildar has now passed an order on 18.03.2026 directing the aforesaid Udaykumar Poojari and same of the petitioners herein to -5- NC: 2026:KHC-K:2767 WP No. 201231 of 2026 HC-KAR conduct Pooja in Huligemma Temple of Aroli village, Manvi taluka.
5. The said submission is placed on record.
6. In view of the aforesaid submissions, the grievance made out by the petitioners in this writ petition does not survive for consideration.
7. Accordingly, the following:
ORDER The writ petition is dismissed with liberty to the petitioners to assail the aforesaid order dated 18.03.2026 passed by the Tahasildar if they are aggrieved by the same.
Sd/-
(S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE SVH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 8