Beltangady: HC petition challenges appointment of members temple committee based on Min's recommendation

Bengaluru: A petition has been filed in the Karnataka High Court challenging the appointment of members to the management committee of the Durgaparameshwari Temple in Beltangady, allegedly based on a recommendation by District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

The petition was filed by Divakara Acharya and Janardana Poojary, residents of Gerukatte in Beltangady taluk. The case was heard on Monday by a single-judge bench led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna. The petition has named the District Religious Council and the newly appointed members of the management committee as respondents.

The court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing to April 21.

According to the petitioners, the appointments were made following a letter from Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who instructed the district authorities to consider individuals listed in a recommendation letter submitted by KPCC General Secretary Rakshith Shivaram. Acting on this directive, the district authorities issued an order appointing the members to the temple’s management committee.

The appointed members include M. Raghavendra, Neena Kumar, P. Rita, Mohini, Hemanth Kumar, Sharath Kumar, H. Raghava, K. Harish, and B. Harish Kumar.

The petitioners have argued that the appointments are in violation of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, and have urged the court to nullify the appointments.