ORDER :

1. Both these petitions take exception to the common impugned Order dated 07.02.2020 passed by the Respondent No. 1-Commisioner, Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments dismissing the Revision Petitions filed by the Petitioners thereby confirming the impugned Order dated 10.10.2017 passed by the Deputy Commissioner, Hassan District whereby the petition filed by the private respondents was allowed by the Deputy Commissioner.

2. The present case is an unfortunate depiction of the extremely sorry state of affairs which is rampant among government authorities entrusted with the onerous responsibility of performing quasi-judicial functions which, when exercised by the authorities in utter, total and blatant disregard and violation/contravention of the cardinal principles of natural justice would not only prejudicially affect a person’s valuable legal rights resulting in miscarriage and failure of justice, but would also lead to apathy and erode the already fast depleting faith and confidence of the masses in administrative and quasi-judicial authorities dealing with the rights of parties.

3. Before adverting to the facts of the instant case, it would be worthwhile to