SHRISHA TANTHRY Vs. COMMISSIONER RELIGIOUS AND ENDOWMENTS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, a Thantri is at the doors of this Court seeking a direction by issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing respondents 1 to 4 to restrain or prevent the 5th respondent from performing rituals of pooja at Sree Lakshmi Janardhana Temple, Kapu ('the Temple' for short) in the position of being a Thantri during any celebrations at the Temple including annual celebrations that were said to commence at the time of filing of the petition.

(2.) Heard Sri M. Aruna Shyam, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, Smt. R.K. Prathibha, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 to 4 and Sri Pramod Kathavi, learned senior counsel appearing for respondents 5 and 6.

(3.) Facts, in brief, as borne out from the pleadings are as follows: -