RAMNATH VASUDEV SHANBHAG Vs. ADMINISTRATOR OF DEVALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the parties.

(2.) Rule. The rule is made returnable immediately at the request of and with the consent of the learned Counsel for the parties.

(3.) The challenge in this petition is to removal of 2352 Mahazans out of a total of 3084, including the petitioners, from the list of capable Mahazans entitled to vote for constituting the Managing Committee of Shree Ramnath Devasthan Saunsthan, Zambaulim, (R-2). The Managing Committee, by proposing such large-scale deletions, has altered the status quo prevalent for at least the last 30 years or thereabouts. Moreover, the removal/deletion is on the sole ground that these 2352 Mahazans allegedly do not have a permanent residence in Goa. Therefore, the Managing Committee's interpretation of Articles 6 and 9 of the bye-laws, 1900 does not entitle them to vote.