NIRMALA v. REVADIGAR W

5. SHRISHALL S. SANDIMANI S/O. SHIVAPPA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, R/O: 256/B, GIRISAGAR, BILIGI (RURAL) – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 396. HANGARAKI Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024

6. SIDDARAM G. REVADIGAR S/O. GURUBASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, R/O: NO 179, WARD NO 1, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 226.

7. BASAPPA.S KUBAKADDI S/O. SHIVAPPA KUBAKADDI, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 660.

8. SANGMESH B. KUBAKADDI S/O BASAPPA KUBAKADDI, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: BILAGI TALUK-587116 BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO. 685.

9. MAHAGUNDAPPA B. KUBAKADDI S/O. BASAPPA KUBAKADDI, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 684.

10. VIRUPAKSHI G. REVADIGAR S/O. GURUBASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: 179, WARD NO 1, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 225.

11. NIRMALA V. REVADIGAR W/O. VIRUPAKSHI, AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS, OCC: HOUSEWIFE, R/O: 179, WARD NO 1, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116 BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 227.

12. KIRAN V. REVADIGAR S/O. VIRUPAKSHI, - 3 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL R/O:179, WARD NO 1, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 229.

13. CHETAN V. REVADIGAR S/O. VIRUPAKSHI, AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O #179, WARD NO 1, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 230.

14. ANIL S. BIRADAR S/O. SHIVANGOUDA, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 231.

15. MAHANTESH I. VANARATHI S/O. ISHAWRAPPA VANARATHI, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 232.

16. TIPPANNA B. KORISHETTI S/O. BASALINGAPPA KORISHETT,I AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK, BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 116, SL NO 102.

17. LAXMIBAI T. KORISHETTI W/O. THIPPANNA KORISHETTI, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC: HOUSEWIFE R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK, BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 116, SL NO 103. - 4 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024

18. MURIGEPPA B. KORESHETTI S/O. BASALINGAPPA KORESHETTI, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: MANNIKERI VILLAGE, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 104.

19. SAVITRI KORESHETTI W/O. MURIGEPPA KORESHETTI, OCC: HOUSWIFE, AGED ABOUT: 49 YEARS, R/O: MANNIKERI VILLAGE, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 105.

20. VITTAL G. KORISHETTI S/O. GURAPPA, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK, BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 116, SL NO 108.

21. SANGAPPA B. KORISHETTI S/O. BASAPPA KORISHETTI, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK, BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 116, SL NO 110.

22. JAYASHRI S. KORISHETTI W/O. SANGAPPA KORISHETTI, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK, BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 116, L NO 111.

23. SUMA V. KORISHETTI W/O. VITTAL G. KORISHETTI, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC: HOUSEWIFE, R/O: VTC MANNIKERI, - 5 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 POST MANNIKERI, BILAGI TALUK BAGALKOT DISTRICT- 587116, SL NO 109.

24. MAHANTESH B. DANGI S/O. BASAPPA DANGI, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: 2061, WARD NO 4, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 252.

25. MANJUNATH DSANDIMANI S/O. DUNDAPPA, AGED ABOUT: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURAL, R/O: GIRISAGAR, BILIGI (RURAL) – 587 116 BAGALKOT DISTRICT, SL NO 835. (BY SRI PRAVEEN TARIKAR, ADVOCATE FOR SRI SANTOSH B. MANE, ADVOCATE) …PETITIONERS AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPT.OF CO-OOPERATION, M.S.BUILDING, BENGALURU – 01.

2. DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER AND THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF CO-OP SOCIETIES OF BAGALKOT SUB-DIVISION, PRIMARY CO-OP SOCIETY (BELOW TALUK LEVEL), BAGALKOT DISTRICT – 587 101.

3. CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION AUTHORITY, 3RD FLOOR, SHANTINAGAR, T.T.M.C, “A” BLOCK, SHANTINAGAR, BENGALURU – 560 027, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY.

4. THE CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, - 6 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, DIST: BAGALKOT DISTRICT.

5. THE RETURNING OFFICER, THE RANI CHANNAMA PATTIN SAHAKARI SANGH NTY, BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, DIST: BAGALKOT DISTRICT.

6. THE RANI CHANNAMA PATTIN SAHAKARI SANGH NTY BILAGI TALUK – 587 116, DIST: BAGALKOT DISTRICT, BY ITS SECRETARY. (BY SMT. KIRTILATA R. PATI, HCGP FOR R1 AND R2) …RESPONDENTS THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO, ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE PETITIONERS IN THE FINAL ELIGIBLE BORROWERS VOTERS LIST AND PERMIT THE PETITIONERS TO CONTEST AND VOTE IN THE ELECTION OF 6TH RESPONDENT SOCIETY SCHEDULE TO HELD ON 08-12-2024 FOR THE TERM 2024-2029 PERMITTING THE PETITIONERS TO RIGHT TO CONTEST AND CAST THEIR VOTE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION IN TERMS AND ETC., THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA - 7 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA) The present writ petition is filed seeking for the following reliefs: “a) issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to include the name of the petitioners in the final eligible borrowers voters list and permit the Petitioners to contest and vote in the election of 6th Respondent society schedule to held on 08-12-2024 for the term 2024-2029 permitting the petitioners to right to contest and cast their vote and participate in the election in terms. b) Pass such other orders as this Hon’ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the case, including costs, in the interest of justice and equity.”

2. In the present writ petition the petitioners are seeking permission to contest and vote in the election to respondent No.6/Society.

3. It is contented that the name of the petitioners are not included in the final list of eligible voters and there is violation of the mandatory provisions of Rule 13D sub- - 8 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 Rule (2)(a) of the Karnataka Co-Operative Societies Rules,

4. It is relevant to note that a Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Sri B. Ganganna and Others vs. The State of Karnataka, Department of Co- operation and Others2 after consideration of the various judgments framed the following points for consideration: (a) Whether a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution India is maintainable (before the publication of the calendar of events 70 of under Rule 14) to redo the voters' list for violation of Rule 13-D(2-A) (of the Rules, 1960, in preparing the eligible and ineligible voters' list? (b) Whether the authority acting under Section 70(2)(c) of the Act, 1959 can decide the validity of the electoral roll vis-à-vis Rule 13-D(2- A) le of Rules, 1960? (c) Whether judgments of co- ordinate Bench of this Court MOHAMMAD BEARY & OTHERS vs. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA & OTHERS3 and H.S. RAJU AND OTHERS vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS4 are per incurium and contrary to the law in ELECTION THROUGH COMMISSION INDIA OF 1 Hereinafter referred to as ‘Rules’ 2 ILR 2024 KAR 1901 3 Writ petition No.29271/2023 & Connected matters 4 2022 (4) AKR 775 - 9 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 SECRETARY OTHERS5.” vs. ASHOK KUMAR AND

4.1 This Court while answering the said questions has held as follows: “22. On a cursory reading of the above-mentioned provisions, it is evident that the role of the Co-Operative Election Authority under the scheme of the Act, 1959 and the Rules 1960, in conducting the election to the board of a co-operative society is all-pervasive. Right from the stage of preparing the eligible and ineligible voters' list till the announcement of results, the Co- Operative Election Authority has a predominant role to play in not only conducting the elections to the board of a co-operative society but also in finalising the electoral roll with reference to right to vote and disqualification to vote. This aspect is to be kept in mind while answering the questions raised in the petition.

26. Having considered the predominant role of the Co-Operative Election Authority right from the stage of preparing the electoral roll, finalising the same after hearing the objections, publication of calendar of events and conducting the elections, and having considered the nature of the vote of member in a co-operative society, before proceeding to answer the question whether there can be a challenge to the electoral roll in a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, before the publication of the calendar of events on the premise that the said roll is published in violation of Rule 13-D(2-A), the Court has to consider if any, statutory remedy is available to question the violation of provisions of the Act, 1959 and the Rules, 1960 in preparing the eligible and ineligible voters' list.

28. The plain grammatical meaning of the expression "any dispute arising in connection with the itself makes abundantly clear election" 5 (2000)8 SCC 216 - 10 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 Authority under Section 70(2)(c) of the Act, 1959 can decide any dispute in connection with the election of the members of the board of a co-operative society. In addition, as can be noticed from Section 70(2)(c), unlike the provisions in the enactments like The Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, and even the Representation of People Act, 1951, which provide for election dispute on specific grounds enumerated in the provision, in Section 70(2)(c), the challenge to the election to the Board of a co-operative society is not restricted to certain specific grounds. Thus, there can be no room for any doubt whatsoever that the Section 70(2)(c) of Act, 1959 is wide enough to cover all questions in connection with Section 20 (a-iv) (a-v) and Rule 13-D (2-A) referred to above. (a-v). Non-compliance with

29. However, a word of caution is needed here. The right to vote and the disqualification to vote in the election to the board of the co-operative society is not just dependent on the procedure to be followed under Rule 13-D(2-A) of the Rules. The right to vote or ineligibility to vote depends on the members meeting, the eligibility criteria prescribed under Section 20(a-iv) the mandatory procedures prescribed under Rule 13-D(2-A) for preparation of voters’ list ipso facto will not make the ineligible voter, eligible to vote. Eligibility to vote is also required to be demonstrated. It is quite possible that even if Rule 13-D92-A) is not followed, the list may conform to Section 20(a-iv) and (a-v) of the Act, 1959. Thus, apart from demonstrating that the Rule 130D is not complied, the member has to demonstrate that the is eligible to vote but should also demonstrate that the faulty voters’ list made and impact on the election results.

30. It is also relevant to note that non- compliance of some part of Rule 13-D(2-A), may close the window provided to repay the dues within the time fixed under Rule 13-D(2-A). It will take away the opportunity to be an eligible voter or an opportunity to contest. Losing a chance to contest an election if the nomination paper is rejected on the premise that the candidate's name is not in the electoral roll can also be questioned under Section 70 of the Act, 1959. - 11 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024

33. Admittedly, Section 70(2)(c) does not specify the grounds on which an election to the board of a co- operative society can be set aside. Assuming that there is a vacuum as to what kind of relief can be granted under Section 70(2)(c), applying the principles contained in Section 100(1)(d-iv) of Act of 1951, and following the ratio in T.S.PATIL vs. THE J.R.C.S. AND OTHERS6 and CHANNE GOWDA AND ANOTHER vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS7 and HAYAT BEIG vs. MUNIVENKATE GOWDA AND OTHERS8, the non-compliance of Rule 13-D(2-A) of Rules, 1960 can be read as a ground available under Section 70(2)(c) of Act, 1959 to challenge the election to the board of a co- operative society. Thus, the Authority under Section 70 of the Act, 1959 can also look into the violation of the provisions of the Act, 1959 and Rules, 1960, applicable to the election to the board of a co-operative society. If, it is established that the electoral roll is prepared in violation of the mandatory rules and that the result of the election is affected on account of faulty electoral roll, then, the Authority under the Act is competent to pass an appropriate order on the election by assessing the impact of faulty electoral roll on the outcome of the election. This being the position, this Court is of the view that the judgment rendered in T S PATIL5 does not come to the aid of the petitioners. On the other hand, the principle laid down in the said judgment will enable the Authority under Section 70 to examine the violation of Rule 13-D(2-A) of Rules, 1960 as well.

40. Whether the preparation of the electoral roll is part of an election is the question answered by the Apex Court in SHRI SANT SADGURU JANARDAN SWAMI (MOINGIRI MAHARAJ) SAHAKARI DURGHA UTPADAK SANSTHA AND ANOTHER VS. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS9. The Apex Court has 6 ILR 2007 KAR 491 7 1975 (2) Kar.L.J.235 8 (1972) 1 Mys.L.J.121 9 (2001) 8 SCC 509 - 12 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 analyzed the scheme of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Rules concerning the preparation of the electoral roll and the process of filing objections to the ineligible voter's list. The Apex Court has taken the view that the preparation of the electoral roll is also an intermediate stage in the election.

41. The provisions of the Rules, 1960, in so far as the conduct of elections are complete code in itself. The said judgment is indeed rendered interpreting the provisions of the Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act and Rules. It is also true that the procedures under the said Act and Rules in preparing the electoral roll are different from the one provided in the Act, 1959 and Rules, 1960. However, the fact that both enactments provide an adjudicatory mechanism before finalizing the final electoral roll and also the fact that an independent authority other than the co-operative society is assigned with the role of preparing the electoral rolls and conducting elections, the underlying philosophy in both Rules in so far as conducting elections to the board of a co-operative society is by and large the same.

44. In the light of the reasons recorded above, this Court is of the view that as a general principle, the writ petition to challenge the electoral roll published for holding elections to the board of a co-operative society is not maintainable. However, this Court is not holding that the remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is completely ruled out. There may be situations, in the facts and circumstances of a given case, the High Court in the exercise of plenary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India may have to step into avert a total miscarriage of justice in preparing the electoral roll. It is not desirable to spell out those circumstances in this petition. Suffice it to say that the facts obtained in this petition do not warrant such exercise.

50. For concludes as under: the reasons recorded, this Court (a) The preparation of electoral roll under Rule, 13-D(2-A) of the Karnataka Co- Operative Rules 1960 is an integral part of - 13 - NC: 2024:KHC-D:17378 WP No. 107059 of 2024 the election process in the context of a question whether the writ petition is maintainable when the challenge is laid to the procedure for preparing initiated electoral roll. (b) In a dispute under Section 70(2)(c) of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959, the Authority under Section 70 can decide the question on the validity of electoral roll prepared under the Rules, 1960 and its impact on the election. (c) The judgments in MOHAMMAD BEARY2 and H.S. RAJU3 are not per incurium (d) The writ petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India to challenge the electoral roll on the ground of non compliance of Rule 13-D(2-A) of Rules, may lie in exceptional cases.” (emphasis supplied)

5. In view of the aforementioned, the present case is not one where a total miscarriage of justice is made out. Hence, the above writ petition dismissed reserving liberty to the petitioner to avail the remedy as provided under Section 70 of the Act. SSP/CT-ASC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 56 Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE