CHANDRAMOULI ODEYAR Vs. G. NAGAIAH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed challenging the order dtd. 27/9/2021, passed in M.A.No.2/2020, on the file of the Civil Judge (Sr.Dn.) and JMFC, Hiriyur, Chitradurga, dismissing the appeal and confirming the order dtd. 11/2/2019, passed in O.S.No.68/2015, on the file of the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC, Hiriyur, ordering return of the plaint of the plaintiffs to present the same before the competent Court of law.

(2.) The factual matrix of the case of the petitioners/plaintiffs before the Trial Court while seeking the relief of declaration in the plaint is that plaintiff No.2 is the Mahantha and administrative of schedule of Revanasiddeshwara Matha. The defendant Nos.1 to 8 are only having right of worship over the schedule property in the absence of the plaintiffs and these defendants are not having any type of right and administrative power over the Revanasiddeshwara Matha. The plaintiffs claim a relief of declaration that Trust formed on 20/7/2012 under the name and style of Srimad Jagadguru Revanasiddeshwara Seva Trust, Harthikote by defendant Nos.10 to 25 in respect of Revanasiddeshwara Matha is illegal. The plaintiffs further prayed for permanent injunction against the defendants not to interfere with administrative work and worship of god, religious functions of the Revanasiddeshwara Matha.

(3.) It is the contention of the plaintiffs that the religious head of Kuruba caste is called as Wodeyar. The plaintiffs and their ancestors are religious head of the Kuruba caste. The Dodderi Gutu Matha situated at Challekere Taluk was having Sub-mathas at Harthikote, Bilichodu, Rangavvanahalli and Sollapur. The ancestors of the plaintiffs are brought by previous Wodeyar of Revanasiddeshwara Matha, Dodderi Village, Challekere Taluk to Harthikote Village to perform all the religious functions and auspicious, propitious functions of Kuruba caste. The plaintiffs and their ancestors came to the Harthikote village about 5-6 heads before. Thereafter, the ancestors of the plaintiffs with the help of Dodderi Matha formed Revanasiddeshwara Matha at Harthikore Village. Accordingly, the ancestors of the plaintiffs are declared as Mahanth and administrative of the said Matha and installed idol of Revanasiddeshwara Swami to the said Matha. The ancestors of the plaintiffs brought the ancestors of defendant Nos.1 to 9 i.e., by name Siddalingaiah from Chikkanayakanahalli Village, Tumakuru District to Revanasiddeshwara Matha, Harthikote Village, Hiriyur Taluk and appointed him as a priest to the Revanasiddeshwara Matha to perform worship of Revanasiddeshwara Swami and to perform all the religious functions, worship of god and auspicious, propitious functions of Kuruba caste people on behalf of ancestors of the plaintiffs, in the absence of the ancestors of the plaintiffs, when they are out of station or Matha in pursuance of to attend all the religious functions, worship of god and auspicious, propitious functions of Kuruba caste people. The defendant Nos.1 to 9 belong to Wodeyar dynasty and therefore defendant Nos.1 to 9 are not having any type of right to claim as Mahantha to Kuruba caste people as per religious right or any other way. The defendant Nos.10 to 25 are not having any type of religious, moral, rights, possession and interest to form any Trust in concern to Revanasiddeshwara Matha. The said Trust is registered behind the back of the plaintiffs on 20/7/2012. Hence, sought for the relief of declaration to declare that the said Trust is illegal.