ORAL ORDER

1. The petitioners challenge the cognizance taken of the offences punishable under Sections 9(2)(vi), 10, 16(1), 16(2), 17(1), and 17(2) of the Karnataka Regulation of Stone Crushers Act, 2011 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act of 2011”), and Rules 3-C(1), 3-C(2), 3-C(3), and 3-C(5) of the Karnataka Regulation of Stone Crushers Rules, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as “the Rules of 2012”), which are punishable under Sections 16(1) and 17(1) of the Act of 2011.

2. The respondents filed a private complaint under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.), alleging that the petitioners were granted a license for stone crushing and, during the currency of the license, they stacked minerals and carried out stone crushing without paying royalty to the government. Upon perusal of the complaint, the learned Magistrate took cognizance of the aforesaid offences, prompting the petitioners to approach this Court.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that stacking minerals without payment of royalty constitutes a contravention under Rule 3-C of the Rules of 2012. Sub-rule (5) of Rule 3-C mandates that the competent authority must be given an opportunity