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14. Advocate Sreekumar Chelur appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 contended that the O.P.(Society) is perfectly maintainable before the District Court, Pathanamthitta. He submitted that the issue is no longer res integra. He relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Terapalli Dyvasahata Kumar v. S.M.Kantha Raju (Dead) through legal representatives and another [(2018) 11 SCC 769]. He submitted that the Hon'ble Supreme Court considered the provisions of Section 23 of the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act in the judgment cited and conclusively held that the expression 'District Court' should be understood in the sense 2026:KER:32401 as it is used in the Code of Civil Procedure and therefore the District Court having jurisdiction in view of Section 20 of the Code of Civil Procedure would be the proper forum to entertain original petitions under Section 23 of the Andhra Act. The learned counsel submitted that the appellants herein challenged the maintainability of the suit filed before the Principal District Court, West Godavari, in Andhra Pradesh, on the ground that, in view of a specific stipulation in the Memorandum of Association and Constitution of the IPC providing that any proceedings before a court of law against the IPC General Church shall be filed within the local jurisdiction of the courts of Pathanamthitta District, the suit was not maintainable. He referred to the order passed by the Principal District Judge, West Godhavari on 21.6.2024 in I.A.No.315/2024 in SOP No.2/2023. He pointed out that the contention of the appellants was accepted by the learned Principal Judge and the petition was returned for filing before the appropriate forum in accordance with the bylaws of the IPC. He argued that having adopted a contention that only 2026:KER:32401 the courts in Pathanamthitta District shall have the jurisdiction to entertain disputes regarding administration of IPC, it is not open to the appellants to take a contrary plea in the proceedings on hand. He therefore submitted that the contention regarding maintainability of the O.P.(Society) is without any merits.

16. He submitted that though the IPC is registered under the Andhra Act and has its registered office in the State of Andhra Pradesh, its head office is situated in Pathanamthitta 2026:KER:32401 District and the dispute is regarding the bifurcation of the IPC State of Kerala. Hence, he submitted that the District Court, Pathanamthitta is the 'court concerned' as provided under Section 23 of the Andhra Act. He also referred to the definition of the 'court' in Section 2(d) of the Andhra Act and pointed out that except for Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the expression 'court' shall be understood as the Principal Civil Court of original civil jurisdiction of the district. He also pointed out that the constitution of the IPC provides that courts within Pathanamthitta District shall have jurisdiction to entertain litigations pertaining to the IPC. He hence submitted that the contention regarding maintainability is misconceived and hence liable to be rejected.

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29. Learned Counsel Shri Sreekumar Chelur and Shri. Ashok Shenoy have contended that the IPC is having its registered office in the State of Andhra Pradesh and majority of its members are living outside the territories of the said State. The headquarters is situated within Pathanamthitta District of State of Kerala. Subject matter of the dispute between the parties is regarding bifurcation of the IPC State of Kerala and formation of Malabar State. They hence submitted that the dispute is between its members mostly residing within the State of Kerala regarding the management of the affairs of the IPC. They further submitted that the principles of territorial nexus will definitely apply in the instant case and the dispute would be governed by Section 23 of the Andhra Act. Hence, according to them, the District Court, Pathanamthitta is well justified in entertaining the OP filed under Section 23. Moreover, in view of the specific provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws of IPC, which provide that jurisdiction shall lie with the courts in Pathanamthitta District for all disputes pertaining to the IPC 2026:KER:32401 General Church, they contend that they are perfectly justified in approaching the District Court, Pathanamthitta, with the petition filed under Section 23.

IPCGC/115/2024 DATED 24-01-2025 Annexure 5 TRUE COPY OF THE ADDENDUM BEARING NO.

IPCGC/235/2025 DATED 24-02-2025 Annexure 6 TRUE COPY OF THE DIRECTIVE BEARING NO.

IPCGC/242/2025 DATED 14-03-2025 Annexure 7 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION BEARING NO.

IPCGC/245/2025 DATED 20-03-2025 Annexure 8 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER BEARING NO.

IPCKL/8487/2025 DATED 06-03-2025 Annexure 9 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER BEARING NO. IPCKL /8874 /2025 DATED 09-04-2025 ISSUED BY THE IPC KERALA TO OFFICE BEARERS OF IPC Annexure 10 TRUE COPY OF THE ORIGINAL PETITION IN OP (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure 11 TRUE COPY OF THE IA NO. 2 OF 2025 IN OP (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure 12 TRUE COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF OBJECTION FILED IN IA NO. 2 OF 2025 IN OP (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure 13 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 09-06-2025 IN OPC NO. 1076 OF 2025 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT Annexure 14 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27-06-2025 IN RP NO. 764 OF 2025 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT Annexure 15 TRUE COPY OF THE IA NO. 4 OF 2025 IN OP (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure 16 TRUE COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF OBJECTION FILED IN IA NO. 4 OF 2025 IN OP (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 BEFORE THE DISTRICT 2026:KER:32401 COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure 17 TRUE COPY OF THE IPCGC/50/25-26 DATED 02-07-2025 RESPONDENTS' ANNEXURES Annexure R1(a) THE TRUE COPY OF THE PREVAILING REGISTERED MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR OF ANDHRA PRADESH Annexure R1(b) A TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT FILED BY THE DISTRICT REGISTRAR IN IN I.A. NO. 1337 IN O.P. NO. 2 OF 2023, ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT COURT, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT Annexure R1(c) A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THE HON'BLE DISTRICT COURT, WEST GODAVARI,ELURU DATED 21/6/2024 IN IA NO.315/2024 IN S.O.P NO.2/2023 Annexure R1(d) A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF WRIT PETITION FILED BY THE 2NDAPPELLANT AGAINST THE DISTRICT REGISTRAR, ANDHRA PRADESH Annexure R1(e) A TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 31.01.2023 PASSED BY THE HIGH COURT ANDHRA PRADESH Annexure R1(f) A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO DATED 25.02.2023 PASSED BY THE DISTRICT REGISTRAR, IN REFERENCE TO W.P. NO. 1851 OF 2023 Annexure R1(g) THE TRUE COPY OF THE PRESS REPORT BEARING NO.IPCGC/240/2025 DATED 12.03.2025 Annexure R1(h) A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 24.01.2025 STATING AGENDA ISSUED FOR THE GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING OF 26.02.2025 Annexure R1(i) A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 24.03.2025 ISSUED BY THE 2ND APPELLANT Annexure R1(j) A TRUE COPY OF THE SAID COMPLAINT DATED 08.07.2025, SUBMITTED BY MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE 2NDAPPELLANT Annexure R1(k) A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 14.03.2025 Annexure R1(l) A TRUE COPY OF THE SAID NOTICE DATED 21.04.2025 ISSUED BY THE 2ND APPELLANT Annexure R1(m) A TRUE COPY OF THE I.A NO. 4 OF 2025 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Annexure R1(n) A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 28.07.2025 IN I.A. NO. 4 OF 2025 IN O.P. (SOCIETY) NO. 30 OF 2025 OF THE DISTRICT COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA Annexure R1(o) A TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 27.08.2025 IN THE ABOVE APPEAL 2026:KER:32401 Annexure R1(p) A TRUE COPY OF THE RECORD OF THE INAUGURAL FUNCTION OF IPC MALABAR STATE Annexure R1(q) A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 02.07.2025 Annexure R1(r) ORDER APPOINTING AN INTERIM COMMITTEE IN PLACE AD-HOC COMMITTEE FOR MONITORING THE 5TH RESPONDENT VIDE NOTICE DATED 15.09.2025 PETITIONERS' ANNEXURES Annexure 18 True copy of the IPCKL/7654/2024 dated 09-02-2024 Annexure 19 True copy of the covering letter dated 29-05-2023 (without annexures) submitted by the General President of IPC to the District Registrar, Eluru Annexure 20 True copy of the Order dated 08-05-2023 in IA No. 5 of 2023 in IA No. 16 of 2023 in OS No ..... of 2023 of the District Court, Pathanamthitta Annexure 22 True copy of the Judgment dated 24-05-2023 in Annexure 23 True copy of the judgment dated12-04-2023 in WPC 12495 of 2023 Annexure 24 True copy of the relevant portion of the newspaper (Malayala Manorama) report dated 23- 10-2025 Annexure 21 True copy of the Order dated 16-05-2023 in IA No. 1 of 2023 in FAO No. 42 of 2023 of this Hon'ble Court RESPONDENTS' ANNEXURES Annexure R7(a) A true copy of order No. IPCGC/93/25-26 dated 20.09.2025 issued by the 1st respondent Annexure R7(b) True copy of the transfer order issued by the Secretary to Pastor Baburaj C.K. as per letter No. IPCKL/9009/2025 dated 09.10.2025 Annexure R7(c) A true copy of order No. IPCKL/9008/2025 dated 22.09.2025 Annexure R7(d) A true copy of Order No. IPCKL/9021/2025 dated 29.10.2025 Annexure R7(e) A true copy of Order No. IPCKL/9015/2025 dated 16.10.2025 Annexure R7(f) A true copy of Order No. IPCKL/9022/2025 dated 29.10.2025 Annexure R7(g) A true copy of the relevant page of the Passbook of the 7th respondent with A/c No. 0384053000007032 in South Indian Bank, Kumbanad Branch 2026:KER:32401 Annexure R8(a) True copy of letter No. IPCGC/85/25-56 dated 15.09.2025 issued by 1st respondent Annexure R8(b) True copy of commission report dated 26.9.2025 in O.P (Society) No. 32 of 2025 filed by Advocate Commissioner before the District Court, Pathanamthitta PETITIONERS' ANNEXURES Annexure 25 TRUE COPY OF THE IPCGC/248/2025 DATED 27-03-2025 ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 1ST APPLICANT HEREIN Annexure 26 TRUE COPY OF THE DECISION DATED IPCGC/85/25-26 DATED 15.09.2025 Annexure 27 TRUE PHOTOGRAPHS (6 NUMBERS) OF THE IPC GENERAL HEADQUARTERS CAMPUS Annexure 27 (a) TRUE COPY OF THE LAND TAX RECEIPT DATED 26-11-2025 OF KOIPRUM VILLAGE IN THE NAME OF INDIAN PENTACOSTAL CHURCH Annexure 28 TRUE COPY OF THE FIR NO. 1256 OF 2025 BEFORE THE KOIPURAM POLICE STATION Annexure 29 TRUE COPY OF THE IPCGC/122/25-26 DATED 21.11.2025 Annexure 30 TRUE COPY OF THE PURPORTED ELECTION NOTIFICATION DATED 20.11.2025 Annexure 31 TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN THE MANGALAM DAILY ON 21.11.2025 Annexure 32 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 25.11.2025 ISSUED TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE Annexure 33 TRUE COPY OF EMAIL DATED 28.11.2025 ALONG WITH LETTER BEARING NO. IPCGC/125/25-26 DATED 28.11.2025 (MISTAKENLY TYPED AS 29.11.2025) Annexure 34 TRUE PHOTOGRAPHS (3 NUMBERS) THAT WAS CAPTURED FROM CCTV FOOTAGE ON 28.11.2025