Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 1044 Kant
Judgement Date : 10 February, 2026
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WP No. 200529 of 2026
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
KALABURAGI BENCH
DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR
WRIT PETITION NO.200529 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE)
BETWEEN:
1. SRI. BILWA PATRI BASAVESHWAR
(TRUST) SEVA SAMITI (R) HATTIGUDDA,
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT,
KARIBASAVANAGOUDA S/O PAREDDEPPA JINURU,
AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
2. SHARANABASAVA S/O MOKAPPA,
AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128
3. CHANNAMALLIKARJUN
Digitally signed by
NIJAMUDDIN S/O DEVAPPA, AGE: 50 YEARS,
JAMKHANDI OCC: AGRICULTURE,
Location: HIGH
COURT OF R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
KARNATAKA DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
4. TIMMANNA S/O HUSSAINAPPA,
AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
5. MOUNESH CHALUVADI S/O FAKIRAPPA,
AGE: 43 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128
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6. HANUMANT S/O DURAGAPPA,
AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
7. SHIDRAMAYYA S/O PARAYYA,
AGE: 47 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
8. CHANNABASAVA
S/O PAMPANAGOUDA,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
9. VIRUPAKSHI S/O MAHANTAPPA,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
10. VIRUPAKSHIGOUDA
S/O BODANAGOUDA,
AGE: 46 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O HATTIGUDDA, TQ. SINDHANOOR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. MAHANTESH PATIL, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,
REVENUE DEPARTMENT,
VIDHAN SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560001.
2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
RAICHUR-584101.
3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE,
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RAICHUR-584101
4. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT
OF POLICE, SINDHANUR DIVISION,
RAICHUR-584101.
5. THE CIRCLE POLICE INSPECTOR,
SINDHANUR RURAL, TQ. SINDHANUR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
6. THE POLICE SUB-INSPECTOR,
TURVIHAL P.S., TQ. SINDHANUR,
DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
7. THE TAHASILDAR SINDHANUR,
TQ. SINDHANUR, DIST. RAICHUR-584128.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. MALHARAO, AAG A/W
SRI. MALLIKARJUN SAHUKAR, AGA)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226
AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO
ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI TO QUASH THE
IMPUGNED ORDER BEARING NO. PÀAzÁAiÀÄ/JA.J.f/07/2026 DATED
02-02-2026 VIDE ANNEXURE-F PASSED BY THE 2ND
RESPONDENT, B) ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF
MANDAMUS WITH DIRECTION TO RESPONDENTS,
ALLOW/PERMIT THE PETITIONERS AND DEVOTEES TO
CONDUCT FAIR OF SRI. BILWA PATRI BASAVESHWAR TEMPLE
FROM 04-02-2026 TO 16-02-2026 IN THE HATTIGUDDA
VILLAGE: OF SINDHANUR TQ.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR
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ORAL ORDER
Heard learned counsel for the petitioners.
2. Learned Additional Government Advocate is
directed to take notice for respondents.
3. This petition is filed seeking the following
reliefs:
"a) Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari to quash the impugned order bearing no. PÀAzÁAiÀÄ/JA.J.f/07/2026 dated 02-02-2026 vide Annexure-F passed by the 2nd respondent,
b) issue a writ in the nature of mandamus with direction to respondents, allow/permit the petitioners and devotees to conduct fair of Sri. Bilwa Patri Basaveshwar Temple from 04-02-2026 to 16-02-
2026 in the Hattigudda village: of Sindhanur tq.
c)Pass such other orders or directions as this Hon'ble Court deems just and proper under the facts and circumstances of the case and allow this writ petition"
4. Petitioner No.1 is a registered trust namely Sri
Bilwa Patri Basaveshwar (Trust) Seva Samiti (R),
Hattigudda, Taluk: Sindhanoor, District: Raichur. It is
contended that Sri Bilwa Patri Basaveshwar temple is 300
to 400 years old temple, having the deity of Lord
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Basaveshwar (Nandi). Said deity is worshipped by
devotees of Hattigudda and surrounding villages
irrespective of their caste. The devotees have belief in the
deity and every year in the month of Shivaratri, they carry
out several religious activities, so also mass weddings in
the premises of the temple. The petitioner/trust along with
its devotees conduct the Mahashivaratri Festival every
year, which is scheduled on 16.02.2026, where several
functions and religious activities are conducted, such as
preaching purana and other religious activities including
conducting mass weddings in the temple. The religious
activities ought to have commenced on 05.02.2026 and
several mass weddings are arranged and fixed during this
period.
5. This being the state of affairs, petitioner/trust
made a representation to the authorities seeking
permission to hold religious activities from 04.02.2026 to
16.02.2026 in the temple premises. Respondent Nos.5 and
6 after considering their representation, accorded
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permission on 28.01.2026 for conducting religious function
from 04.02.2026 to 16.02.2026 with certain conditions. In
obedience of the said permission, petitioner No.1 executed
a bond for compliance of conditions to respondent No.6.
After receiving the said permission, which was accorded on
28.01.2026, the petitioners, along with all the devotees,
made preparations for conducting religious activities from
04.02.2026 in the temple premises by printing wedding
invitation cards for participation of mass wedding in the
temple and other religious activities. It is further
contended that suddenly respondent No.2 has passed the
impugned order on 02.02.2026, under Section 35 of the
Police Act, 1963 prohibiting the general public and
petitioners to conduct the fair from 04.02.2026 to
16.02.2026 in Hattigudda Village, with regard to the eve
of the fair of Sri Bilwa Patri Basaveshwar temple. It is this
order of the respondent No.2 which is questioned before
this Court, on several grounds, inter-alia contending that
the impugned order passed by respondent No.2 is
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arbitrarily, illegal and violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the
Constitution of India. It is also contended that there is
absolutely no circumstance to pass a prohibitory order, as
there is no breach of public peace or tranquility in the
village. It is further contended that respondent No.2 has
relied upon Crime No.188/2025 and Crime No.189/2025
registered on 19.11.2025. These crime numbers were
registered for different reasons and cannot be a ground to
pass prohibitory order under Section 35 of the Karnataka
Police Act. It is a flimsy reason, only with an intent to
prohibit the petitioners from conducting religious activities
of the temple, that such an order is passed. It is
contended that the same is violative of Articles 14, 19, 25
and 26 of the Constitution of India. If at all there is any
apprehension of the police with regard to law and order,
they can monitor the situation and if anybody is creating
such a scene, they can well be prohibited personally, but
they cannot stop the entire event organized by the
petitioners of religious activities. On these grounds, he
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seeks to quash the impugned order and grant a writ of
mandamus with a direction to the respondent authorities
to allow the petitioners to conduct the fair of Sri Bilwa
Patri Basaveshwar Temple. It is also contented that earlier
permission was granted on 28.01.2026 and due to the
interference of respondent No.2, 8 days have already
passed by, which has caused infringement of the personal
rights of the movement and following a religious practice
as contemplated under Articles 14, 19, 25 and 26 of the
Constitution of India.
6. Learned Additional Advocate General appearing
on behalf of the respondent-State contends that at the
intervention of the Court, as per order passed dated
06.02.2026, directing to conduct a meeting with the
petitioners and the respondents to amicably resolve the
issue and to come out with a proposal, where the religious
activities could be conducted and along with it how the law
and order situation could be maintained by way of mutual
consent from the villagers, the stakeholders, the devotees,
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including the police, was conducted and accordingly, the
report is submitted.
7. Learned Additional Government Advocate has
placed a memo along with the report for having conducted
the meeting on 09.02.2026. In the meeting held the
following points are enumerated, which read as under:
"1. ¥ÀÅgÁt PÁAiÀÄðPÀª æ ÀÄUÀ¼£ À ÀÄß ¢£ÁAPÀ:-11-02-2026 jAzÀ 15-02- 2026 gÀªg À U ÀÉ ÀÉ 5 ¢£ÀU¼À À PÁ® ¸ÁAiÀÄAPÁ® 05:30 UÀAmÉUÉÀ ¥ÁægAÀ ©ü¹ gÁwæ 8:30 UÀAmÉ M¼ÀUÁV ªÀÄÄPÁÛAiÀÄUÉÆ½¸À®Ä ºÁUÀÆ ¥ÀÅgÁt PÁAiÀÄðPÀª æ ÀÄPÀÌÉ DUÀ«Ä¸ÀĪÀ J¯Áè ¸ÀªÀÄÆzÁAiÀÄzÀªÀjUÀÉ ¨sÁUÀªÀ»¸À®Ä ªÀÄÄPÀÛªÁzÀ CªÀPÁ±À ¤ÃqÀĪÀAvÉ ¸ÀÆa¸À¯Á¬ÄvÀÄ.
2. ¢£ÁAPÀ:- 16-02-2026 gÀAzÀÄ GZÁÑAiÀÄ, zsÁ«ÄðPÀ UÉÆÃ¶Ö ªÀÄvÀÄÛ gÀxÉÆÃvÀìªPÀ ÀÌÉ C£ÀĪÀÄw¸ÀÄvÁÛ J®è ¸ÀªÀÄÄzÁAiÀÄzÀªj À UÀÆ zsÁ«ÄðPÀ PÁAiÀÄðPÀª æ ÀÄzÀ°è ¨sÁVAiÀiÁUÀ®Ä ªÀÄÄPÀÛ CªÀPÁ±À PÀ°à¸ÀĪÀAvÉ læ¸ïÖ £Àªj À UÀÉ ¸ÀÆa¹zÉ.
3. AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà jÃwAiÀÄ C£À¢Pü ÀÈvÀ ¨Áå£Àgï §AnAUï zsÀ餪Àzsð À PÀU½ À UÀÉ CªÀPÁ±À«gÀĪÀÅ¢®è.
4. eÁvÀAæÉ iÀİè AiÀiÁªÀÅzÉà C»vÀPg À À WÀl£ÉUÀ¼ÀÄ £ÀqAÉ iÀÄzÀAvÉ ¸ÀA§Azs¥À ÀlÖªj À AzÀ ±ÁAw ªÀÄÄZÀ½ Ñ PÉ ¥ÀvÀæ ¥ÀqÉAiÀÄĪÀÅzÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ vÀº²À ïÁÝgg À ÀÄ, DgÀPÀëPÀ ªÀÈvÀÛ ¤jÃPÀPë g À ÀÄ ¹Azs£À Æ À gÀÄ, gÀªg À ÀÄ ªÀÄÄAeÁUÀÈvÀ æ ÀĪÁV (preventive action Report-PAR) ¨ÁAqï NªÀgï PÀª ªÀiÁr¹PÉÆ¼ÀîvÀPÀÌzÀÄÝ.
5. ¥ÉÇð¸ï G¥Á¢üÃPÀPë g À ÀÄ ¹Azs£ À ÀÆgÀÄ gÀªg À ÀÄ eÁvÀAæÉ iÀÄ£ÀÄß ¸ÀÄUÀªÀÄ, ¸ÀÄgÀPÀëvÉ ºÁUÀÆ ±ÁAwAiÀÄÄvÀªÁV DZÀj¸ÀĪÀ ¤nÖ£À°è PÀlÄÖ¤nÖ£À ¥ÉÇð¸ï §AzÉÆÃ§¸ïÛ £ÀÄß ªÀiÁrPÉÆ¼ÀÄîªAÀ vÉ ¸ÀÆa¹zÉ."
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8. Coming to the present facts on hand, the
petitioners based on the permission granted earlier were
supposed to conduct the program from 04.02.2026.
Accordingly, they put up a pamphlet and other details,
fixed arrangements of weddings and other religious
activities, as permission was granted on 28.01.2026,
based on which the petitioners had prepared certain
calendar of events over a period spanning from
04.02.2026 to 16.02.2026 to conduct activities all being
religious in nature, including preachings of propagation of
the religious activities, puranas and Bhakti geetas etc.,
related to religious activities of Sri Bilwa Patri
Basaveshwar deity. Such being the case, the apprehension
of the respondents by reducing the time from 05.30 p.m.
to 08.30 p.m. of the Purana Pravachana i.e. preaching and
teachings of the lord, is not accepted by learned counsel
for the petitioners, as he contends that such restrictions
cannot be ordered by the respondent authorities unless
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there is some apprehension, which is not narrated or
stated in the memo. It is seen that vide the earlier order
dated 28.01.2026, the permission was duly granted by
respondent Nos.5 and 6. Subsequently, the permission has
been withdrawn by respondent No.2, which is politically
motivated and only passed the impugned order to prevent
the petitioners to perform the religious activities, which is
in blatant violation of the Articles enshrined in the
Constitution of India. It is relevant to extract the
fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution
under Article 19, which reads as under:
"19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc. (1) All citizens shall have the right-
(a) to freedom of speech and expression;
(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;
(c) to form associations or unions [or co-operative societies];
(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;
(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; [and]
[***]
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(g) to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business."
9. It is also relevant to rely upon the Articles 25
and 26, which read as under:
"25. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.-(1) Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion.
(2) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the State from making any law-
(a) regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice;
(b) providing for social welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
26. Freedom to manage religious affairs.-
Subject to public order, morality and health, every religious denomination or any section thereof shall have the right-
(a) to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes;
(b) to manage its own affairs in matters of religion;
(c) to own and acquire movable and immovable property; and
(d) to administer such property in accordance with law"
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10. The Constitution of India, as per the
fundamental rights guaranteed and enshrined, has
provided a right to freedom of speech and expression, to
assemble peacefully, without arms, to form associations or
unions, to move freely throughout the territory of India, to
reside in and settle in any part of the India, to practice any
profession, carry on occupation, trade or business. Article
25 clearly specifies with regard to free profession, practice
and propagation of religion and the freedom of conscience.
Therefore, any citizen of this country is entitled to practice
or propagate his religion and also religious activities
associated with his religion. Article 26 deals with freedom
to manage religious affairs. Therefore, when such articles
are enshrined in the Constitution of India, it is a
fundamental right of every citizen to practice and profess
the religion of his choice and in the manner he wants,
unless there is a breach of morality or public order and
tranquility and peace. Article 25 has been considered in
several catena of judgments of the Hon'ble Apex Court. In
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the Judgment rendered by the 7 Judges Bench of the
Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras v. Sri
Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt
reported in AIR 1954 SC 282, it was held that what has
been guaranteed was freedom not only to entertain such
religious beliefs as may be approved by one's judgment
and conscience but also to exhibit his belief in such
outward acts as he thinks proper. It is also held that
religion is a matter of faith with individuals or
communities. In the case of Ratilal Panachand Gandhi v
the State of Bombay, reported in AIR 1954 SC 388,
(Five Judges Bench), it was reiterated that every person
has a fundamental right to exhibit his belief and ideas in
such overt acts as are enjoined or sanctioned by his
religion. In the case of Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin
Saheb v. State of Bombay, reported in AIR 1962 SC
853, Shirur Mutt (supra) view was upheld and held that
what constitute an essential part of religion or religious
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practice has to be decided by the Courts with reference to
the doctrine of particular religion and include practices
which are regarded by the community as a part of its
religion. This again was followed by another judgment of
five Judges bench of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of
E. R. J. Swami v. State of Tamil Nadu, reported in AIR
1972 SC 1586.
11. Coming back to the present case on hand,
initially the petitioners were granted permission and
thereafter respondent No.2 revokes it and imposes
prohibitive orders for conducting any such religious
events. The Karnataka Police Act, 1963 permits the police
to regulate the public assemblies and processions. It is no
doubt true that the respondent-police can prohibit the
assembly if there is apprehension of disturbances, threat
to public peace, morality, tranquility, and breach of any
terms and conditions. There cannot be an arbitrary order
of stopping or restricting the freedom of movement or
conducting religious activities or religious ceremonies
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during religious festivals. Such restrictions should be borne
out from the records with proper and cogent reasoning.
12. In the present case on hand, except for citing
two crime numbers having registered in the village, no
reasons are assigned by the respondent No.2 for passing
the impugned order. This Court made an attempt to see
that the petitioners, the devotees, the villagers, the police
authorities and the respondents could come to an amicable
settlement, whereby peace and tranquility could be
adhered to, by the imposition of certain conditions by the
respondents. But it is seen that the respondents have
restricted the time limit from 05.30 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.,
further restricting the dates of the religious ceremonies
from 11.02.2026 to 15.02.2026. It is also contended by
learned counsel for the petitioners that the villagers are
told that no activities could be conducted beyond 8:30
p.m., in the joint meeting and hence, they are not
agreeable to the same.
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13. Having perused the order of the respondent
No.2, I do not find any good ground or cogent reason for
having passed such an order, as the reasons made out for
prohibiting the petitioners to conduct religious activities
does not stem out from any cogent material or reason to
apprehend any public peace and tranquility being
disturbed, merely because of a crime being registered and
stray sentence of rival group/sect being enemical to each
other may cause law and order situation.
14. It is apparently seen that the Karnataka Police
Act has the necessary mechanism to curtail any such
unruly trouble mongers and also the Karnataka Police
Manual contains the relevant provisions to apprehend
persons, who are creating breach of public peace and
tranquility. Under such circumstances, the respondent-
State would be at liberty to apprehend any person or any
individual, who creates any breach of public peace and
tranquility and creates any threat to the society, including
the performance of the religious activities by the
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petitioners, during the period, when they are intending to
do.
15. In view of the fact that the prohibitive orders
were passed and the religious activities have not
commenced from the day it was to commence i.e. from
04.02.2026 till today i.e., 10.02.2026, this Court is of the
opinion that such order passed by the respondent No.2
would not be sustainable and the same requires to be
quashed. Accordingly, I pass the following:
ORDER
i. The petition is allowed.
ii. The impugned order dated 02.02.2026 is
hereby quashed.
iii. A writ of mandamus is issued with a
direction to the respondents to permit the devotees,
petitioner-Trust namely Sri Bilwa Patri Basaveshwar
(Trust) Seva Samiti (R), Hattigudda and the members
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to continue their religious activities as per the
brochure printed and produced at Annexure-C.
iv. The respondents shall not prohibit the
petitioners from conducting the religious activities
from today i.e., 10.02.2026, in accordance to the
pamphlet at Annexure-C, till 16.02.2026 in the
Hattigudda village, Tq.Sindhanoor, Dist. Raichur.
v. However, this Court deems it appropriate to
frame the following guidelines for adherence and
maintaining proper public peace, tranquility and
order:
(a) The petitioners shall perform the poojas, purana pravachane and other religious activities, as per the calendar of events published at Annexure-C. However, the petitioners shall not make any loudspeaker announcements or activities in the loudspeakers post 09.00 p.m. beyond certain prescribed decibel and stop all activities through public announcements and
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loudspeakers at 09.00 p.m. Other religious activities could be carried on till 10.30 p.m. and close the religious activities and other activities by 10.30 p.m. on each day till 16.02.2026.
(b) The respondent-police are at liberty to monitor the events of the petitioners, while performing of their religious functions and activities.
(c) Respondents are also at liberty to apprehend any persons involved in untoward activities causing a law and order situation in the village or in the neighbourhood.
(d) It is made clear that the petitioners shall not carry any of the arms or ammunition and any weapons which are barred under the Arms Act, without there being proper permission from the concerned authorities.
vi. In view of the peace meeting arrived
between the petitioners and the respondent-State
and other stakeholders, the parties who have signed
the peace meeting are cautioned not to create any
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untoward incident and law and order situation, during
the religious activities commencing from 10.02.2026
to 16.02.2026.
Ordered accordingly.
Sd/-
(PRADEEP SINGH YERUR) JUDGE
NJ List No.: 2 Sl No.: 10 CT:SI
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