These writ petitions are filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, praying to quash the order dated 17.5.2010 as per Annexure-J issued by the 2nd Respondent.

Petitioners are policemen working in Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP). Their services were utilized by inducting them in the “Special Task Force” (STF) constituted for the specific and sole purpose of capturing the infamous forest Brigand Veerappan in M.M. Hills in Chamarajanagara-Kollegala areas of the State of Karnataka. Petitioners were among 754 members of the STF, who were involved in the operation of capturing Veerappan as on 18.10.2004.

2. Veerappan and his gang were indulging in elephant poaching and smuggling of sandalwood on a large scale, since long time. The said gang started indulging in extortions, murders, kidnapping for ransom, etc. from 1983. Subsequently, i.e., somewhere in the year 1984, the said gang started attacking and killing forest and police officials, who tried to control their illegal and terrorist activities. The said gang killed about 2000 elephants, committed theft of 40,000/- kgs. Of tusks worth about Rs.12 crores and has denuded the sandalwood from the forest