Puttur: The High Court of Karnataka has ordered to exclude the name of the Deputy Commissioner of the district and re-print the invitation cards of annual fair of Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur.

It may be recalled that devotees and a section of people had created furor over inclusion of Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim’s name in the temple invitation on the grounds that since the DC was from another religion there was no need to include his name in the invite.

A petition was filed in this regard by a devotee who said that the inclusion stood in violation of  Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act.

The petitioner had relied on a rule which states that when the DC is a non-Hindu, a subordinate who is a Hindu should be appointed for performing duties relating to temples.

The single judge bench of the HC presided by Justice A S Bopanna has upheld the petition and ordered for reprinting of the invitations.

The 10 day annual car festival of Shri Mahalingeshwara temple will commence from April 10.

The saffron outfits have welcomed the order.