Karnataka High Court
Ramakrishnappa vs The State Of Karnataka on 20 February, 2026
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NC: 2026:KHC:11210
WP No. 5830 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI
WRIT PETITION NO. 5830 OF 2026 (CS-EL/M)
BETWEEN:
1. RAMAKRISHNAPPA
S/O RANGADYAMANNA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001063
2. SHASHIDHAR B. T
S/O THIPPESWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000066
3. THIMMANNA
S/O GOVINDAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS,
Digitally signed SHARE NO: 00101000085
by KIRAN
KUMAR R
Location: 4. MALLIKARJUNA
HIGH COURT S/O LATE SOMANATH,
OF
KARNATAKA AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000352.
5. MANJUNATH
S/O SOOGURAРРА,
AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000355
6. RATHNAMMA
W/O KUMARASWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000353
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7. MANJUNATH K. S.
S/O KUMARASWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000354
8. KUMARASWAMY
S/O SIDDARAMANNA,
AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000355
9. RAGHAVENDRA
S/O HALAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000438
10. RATHNAMMA
D/O SOGURAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00701000445
11. SUJATHA
W/O ARUNKUMAR,
AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00701000446
12. ROOPA
W/O MANJUNATH,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00701000447
13. UMA
W/O RAMESH S. P,
AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000539
14. MANJESH
S/O THIMMANNA,
AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000669
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15. DAYANANDA
S/O SOMANNA,
AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000665
16. KAVITHA
W/O LOKESH,
AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000752
17. DAKSHAYANI
W/O RAMANJANEYA,
AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000772
18. RAMANJANEYA
S/O SREERAMULU,
AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000773
19. ROHINI
W/O ARUNKUMAR,
AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000893
20. ARUN KUMAR
S/O SOMKUMAR,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000899
21. SURESH
S/O THIPPESWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000909
22. KRISHNAMURTHY
S/O HOSURAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003339
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23. C. THIPPAMMA
W/O SIDDAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001225
24. PADMAGANGA
W/O RAJASHEKARA REDDY,
AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002480,
25. MOHAN KUMAR
S/O RAMALINGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000906
26. LAKSHMAMMA
W/O RAJASHEKARA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000223
27. LAKSHMI
W/O LATE MYLARAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000632
28. P. G. SREEHARI
S/O GIRIYAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001545
29. S. L. AMBIKA
W/O P. G. SRECHARI,
AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001546
30. GIRIJAMMA
W/O GIRIYAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 75 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001547
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HC-KAR
31. LAKSHMIDEVI V. P
W/O JAYAPRASANNA KUMAR,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003178
32. PRAKASH R
S/O RAMALINGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000905
33. MOHAN KUMAR R
S/O RAMALINGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000906
34. R. CHANDRASHEKAR
S/O RAMALINGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000904
35. MANJULA P. K
W/O CHANDRASHEKAR,
AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003594
36. GEETHAMMA
W/O PRAKASH R,
AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00401000169
PETITIONER NOS.1 TO 36 ARE R/O
KALIDASA NAGARA,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137.
37. SHANTHAMMA
W/O RAMACHANDRAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS.
SHARE NO: 00501000010
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HC-KAR
38. LAKSHMI S R
W/O RAVIKUMAR H,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000197
39. HARISH V. R.
S/O RAMACHANDRAPPA H,
AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000198
40. SUSHEELAMMA
W/O RAJANNA,
AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000011
PETITIONER NOS.37 TO 40 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGAR,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
41. SREEDHARA V. E
S/O ESHWARAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002785,
R/O KALIDASA NAGAR,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
42. MANJUNATH B. R.
S/O RANGANATHAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001122
43. GIRIRAJU B. R.
S/O RANGANATHAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001121
44. SUJATHA K. C.
W/O MANJUNATH B. R,
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AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001124
PETITIONER NOS.42 TO 44 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGAR,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
45. SHARADHA
W/O NAGENDRAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000329
46. NAGABHUSHANA
S/O SURENDRA KUMAR,
AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101004628
PETITIONER NOS.45 AND 46 ARE R/O
KALIDASA NAGAR, SIRA TOWN,
SIRA, TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
47. SAROJAMMA
W/O ASHOK KUMAR L. N,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000090
48. PRADEEP KUMAR
S/O ASHOK KUMAR L. N,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000091
49. ASHOK KUMAR L. N
S/O NAGAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000092
PETITIONER NOS.47 TO 49 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGAR, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
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HC-KAR
50. DHRUVAKUMAR V. G
S/O GURUMURTHY,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000147
51. GEETHAMMA
W/O PRAKASH R,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00401000169
PETITIONER NOS.50 AND 51 ARE R/O
KALIDASA NAGAR,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
52. NARAYANA
S/O BHOOTHANNA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001650
53. ROOPESH S. K
S/O S. N. KRISHNAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301001931
PETITIONER NOS.52 AND 53 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGAR, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
54. BHAGYAMMA
W/O ESHWARAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002056
55. NARASIMHEGOWDA
S/O BALARAMEGOWDA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002657
PETITIONER NOS.54 AND 55 ARE R/O
VEERGANAHALLI VILLAGE,
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WP No. 5830 of 2026
HC-KAR
GOWDAGERE HOBLI,
SIRA TALUK, TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572135
56. SUNDRAMMA
W/O KODANDARAMA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002850
57. INDRAMMA K. V.
W/O ARALAPPA H. G,
AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002965
58. ARALAPPA
S/O JOGANNA,
AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002966
59. DEEPU S.
W/O VIKAS,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003320
60. P. N. RAGHAVENDRA
S/O NANJUNDAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000396
PETITIONER NOS.56 TO 60 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGARA, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
61. YASHODHAMMA
W/O RAJANNA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00401000171
62. PRAVEENA R
S/O RAJANNA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00401000172
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HC-KAR
PETITIONER NOS.61 AND 62 ARE R/O
YARAVARAHALLI VILLAGE, GOWDAGERE HOBLI,
SIRA TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572139
63. PUTTAMMA
W/O HOTEL PANDURANGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001327
64. OMKARAIAH
S/O JAYARAMAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000260
65. MAHANTHESH S. M
S/O MYLARAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000211
PETITIONER NOS.63 TO 65 ARE R/O
KALIDASA NAGARA, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
66. KAMALAMMA
W/O SHASHIDHARA,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301001140
67. SHASHIDHARA G. S.
S/O SHIVARAMAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001804
PETITIONER NOS.66 AND 67 ARE R/O
VAJEED LAYOUT, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
68. SATHEESH K. V
S/O VEERANNA,
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HC-KAR
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00601000215
69. SEENAPPA P. L
S/O LIGANNA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003340
70. KUMADHA
W/O SEENAPPA P. L,
AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003341
71. SREEDHARA P. K
S/O KENCHANNA,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001413
PETITIONER NOS.68 TO 71 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGARA, SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
72. JAI RAMAIAH V. R.
S/O RANGAPPA R,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001056
73. SREE RAMAIAH
S/O HOSURAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001059
74. VIVEKANANDA
S/O PARASAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001201
75. PARUSHURAMAIAH P
S/O PUTTARANGAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001157
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HC-KAR
PETITIONER NOS.72 TO 75 ARE R/O
VEERAGANAHALLI VILLAGE,
GOWDAGERE HOBLI,
SIRA TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572135
76. MARUTHI D
S/O DODDAIAH N,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001310
R/O JYOTHI NAGARA,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
77. ASHWATHAPPA
S/O VENKATAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101001315
R/O MEKERAHALLI VILLAGE,
KASABA HOBLI,
SIRA TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572137
78. SONIYA S. S
W/O SHIVAJI RAO,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301001150
79. PUSHPA BAI
D/O SONIYA S. S,
AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301001151
PETITIONER NOS.78 AND 79 ARE R/O
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572137
80. GOVINDAPPA
S/O SANNAMUDDANNA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101002060
R/O GUDDADA HATTI,
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HC-KAR
KASABA HOBLI, SIRA TALUK,
TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572137
81. SUBBA SINGH
S/O NARAYAN SINGJH,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000706
R/O KALLUKOTE, KASABA HOBLI,
SIRA TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT 572137
82. MANJUNATH S. M.
S/O MYLARAPPA S. M,
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000498
83. DAKSHAYANI P. G.
W/O MANJUNATHA S. M,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000499
PETITIONER NOS.82 AND 83 ARE R/O
KALIDASA NAGARA, SIRA TOWN,
SIRA, TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
84. HAREESH SHETTY
S/O SEENAPPA SHETTY,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000385
85. REKHA SHETTY
W/O HAREESH SHETTY,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000386
PETITIONER Nos.84 AND 85 ARE R/O
JYOTHI NAGARA,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
86. VIRAJ
S/O CHANDU,
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AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00501000418
R/O SAPTHAGIRI BADAVANE,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572137
87. PRABHAKARA T. V
S/O VENKATAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101000488
R/O KALIDASA NAGARA,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
88. NAHEEM UNNISA.
W/O MOHAMMED RAFI,
AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00301000598
R/O JYOTHI NAGARA,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKUR DISTRICT-572137
89. KRISHNAMURTHY
S/O HOSURAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00101003339
R/O KAMAGONDANAHALLI VILLAGE,
GOWDAGERE HOBLI, SIRA TALUK,
TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572135
90. SUNITHA T
W/O THIPPESWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00201003923
91. THIPPESWAMY B. Y
S/O RAMALINGAIAH SHETTY,
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS,
SHARE NO: 00201003924
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PETITIONER NOS.90 AND 91 ARE R/O
SAPTHAGIRI BADAVANE,
SIRA TOWN, SIRA,
TUMAKURU DISTRICT-572137
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. RAMESH K R, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION
M.S BUILDING
DR. B.R AMBEDKARVEEDHI
BENGALURU-560 001
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPLE SECRETARY
2. THE STATE CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION COMMISSION,
IIIRD FLOOR, SHANTHI NAGAR,
T.T.M.C. A BLOCK,
SHANTHI NAGAR, BANGALORE-560 027,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY
3. ADDITIONAL REGISTRAR CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES
AND ELECTION OFFICER,
BANGALORE ZONE,
NO.1, ALIASKAR ROAD,
BANGALORE-560052
4. SMT. S. C. SOWMYA,
FATHERS NAME NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONERS,
AGE MAJOR,
THE RETURNING OFFICER
SRI KANAKA PATTINA SAHAKARA
SANGHA NIYAMITHA,
KANAKA SANKEERNA,
MAIN ROAD, SIRA TOWN,
SIRA, TUMKUR DISTRICT-572 137
5. SRI KANAKA PATTINA SAHAKARA
SANGHA NIYAMITHA,
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WP No. 5830 of 2026
HC-KAR
KANAKA SANKEERNA,
MAIN ROAD, SIRA TOWN,
SIRA, TUMKUR DISTRICT-572 137
REP. BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
(REGISTERED UNDER THE
CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT.)
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. YOGESH D NAIK, AGA FOR R1 & R3)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF
MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NOS. 2 TO 5 TO
INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE PETITIONERS ELIGIBLE VOTERS'
LIST AND PERMIT THE PETITIONERS TO VOTE IN THE
ELECTIONS TO THE RESPONDENT NO.5, WHICH IS
SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 22.02.2026.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI
ORAL ORDER
The petitioners, aggrieved by the inaction on the part of respondent No.4-the Returning Officer, wherein names of the petitioners were not shown in the voters' list, filed this writ petition seeking a mandamus directing respondent Nos.2 to 5 to include the names of the petitioners in the eligible voters' list, and further direct respondent Nos.2 to 5 to allow the petitioners to vote for
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NC: 2026:KHC:11210 WP No. 5830 of 2026 HC-KAR the elections of respondent No.5, which is scheduled on 22.02.2026.
2. In the case of Bhimappa Vs. The Deputy Commissioner and Others1 filed before this Court, a similar relief was sought. This Court, vide order dated 03.11.2020, dismissed the writ petition referring to the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Inderjit Barua and Others Vs. Election Commission of India2, wherein the Hon'ble Apex Court has, in paragraph No.3 of the judgment, held as follows:
"3. We are of the view that once the final electoral rolls are published and elections are held on the basis of such electoral rolls, it is not open to anyone to challenge the election from any constituency or constituencies on the ground that the electoral rolls were defective. That is not a ground available for challenging an election under Section 100 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The finality of the electoral rolls cannot be assailed in a proceeding challenging the validity of an election held on the basis of such electoral rolls vide Kabul Singh v. 1 WP No.148379/2020, disposed of on 03.11.2020 2 (1985) 1 SCC 21
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NC: 2026:KHC:11210 WP No. 5830 of 2026 HC-KAR Kundan Singh [(1969) 2 SCC 452 : (1970) 1 SCR 845 :
AIR 1970 SC 340 : 42 ELR 325] . Article 329 (b) in our opinion clearly bars any writ petition challenging the impugned elections on the ground that the electoral rolls of 1979 on the basis of which the impugned elections were held were invalid."
The findings in the aforesaid judgment would clearly indicate that the Hon'ble Apex Court held that, there is a clear bar to any writ petition challenging the defect in electoral roll.
3. Further, this Court in the case of J. Robert Vs. Ram Jethmalani3 held that, even if there is an error in preparation of electoral roll, the same cannot be questioned before the High Court. As far as preparation of electoral roll, addition or deletion of names etc., are all the matters pertaining to the dispute relating to electoral roll and they cannot be entertained in the writ petition.
4. Considering the proposition of law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court and this Court in the cases 3 1990 SCC OnLine Kar 184
- 19 -
NC: 2026:KHC:11210 WP No. 5830 of 2026 HC-KAR referred supra, the petitioners have no right to question the final electoral roll before the High Court in the writ jurisdiction. The High Court has no right in interfering in the process of election, as the election process has already commenced.
5. In view of the above discussion, I do not find any grounds to entertain the writ petition. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed reserving a liberty to the petitioners to raise their grievance before the appropriate forum, if so desired.
6. In view of dismissal of the petition, pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
Sd/-
(ASHOK S.KINAGI) JUDGE PA List No.: 2 Sl No.: 21