1. These writ petitions and writ appeals have been clubbed and heard together as they mainly concern the controversy arising from the issuance of Government Order dated 12/08/2008 under which Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple along with its allied Temples (hereinafter referred to as “Temple” or “Gokarna Temple” for the sake of convenience) has been deleted from Notification dated 30/04/2003 with effect from 01/05/2003 and Gokarna Temple and its connected institutions have been handed over to respondent Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt, (hereinafter referred to as “Mutt” (also known as “Matha”) respondent No.6 in W.P.No.30609/2008 and arrayed as respondent in connected writ petitions, which is headed by a Pontiff (also known as “Swamiji”) and in some cases, represented by its Administrator and/or General Power of Attorney Holder.

Bird’s eye view of the controversy:

2. As already stated, this bunch of writ petitions revolve around Government Order dated 12/08/2008. Certain writ petitions are filed in public interest assailing the said Government Order, while W.P.No.30609/2008 is in private interest challenging the very same Government Order. W.P.No.30609/2008 is filed on behalf of the deity