IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 30242 OF 2025 (GM-TEN)

BETWEEN:

M/S. SUMA PRINTS, A REGISTERED PROPRIETORSHIP, HAVING REGISTERED OFFICE AT:

GROUND NO.34, 3^RD FLOOR, JM ARCADE, ANNIPURA MAIN ROAD, SUDHAMANAGAR, BENGALURU - 560 027, REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR M.THEERTHA RAJU.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. RANGANATH R., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER Digitally signed [SOUTH]

by SHWETHA RAGHAVEND RA BRUHATH BENGALURU MAHANAGARA PALIKE, Location: HIGH

9^TH MAIN ROAD, 2^ND BLOCK, COURT OF KARNATAKA JAYANAGARA, BENGALURU – 560 011.

2. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER, BRUHATH BENGALURU MAHANAGARA PALIKE, N.R. SQUARE, BENGALURU – 560 002.

3. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (PROJECT) SOUTH AND EVM NODAL OFFICER BBMP SOUTH, BRUHATH BENGALURU MAHANAGARA PALIKE, 9^TH MAIN ROAD, JAYANAGARA 2^ND BLOCK, BENGALURU – 560 011.

4. THE CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER, ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA, NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 001.

5. THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER KARNATAKA NIRVACHANA NILAYA, SHESADRI ROAD, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU – 560 001.

EMAIL: ceo_karnataka@eci.gov.in …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.L.SANJEEV, ADVOCATE FOR R-1 TO R-3;

SRI. S R.DODWAD, ADVOCATE FOR R-4 AND R-5)

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT RESPONDENT NO.1 TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATIONS DATED 05.09.2023, 12.12.2023, 05.03.2024, 04.06.2024, 03.10.2024, 04.01.2025, 18.04.2025 AND 14.05.2025 (2 NOS.) AT ANNEXURE-F TO F8 AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO RELEASE AMOUNT OF RS.9,45,656/- (RUPEES NINE LAKH FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX ONLY) TOWARDS THE WORK ORDER DATED 17.04.2023 ALONG WITH AN INTEREST OF 18 PERCENT PER ANNUM FROM THE DATE IT IS DUE TILL THE DATE OF PAYMENTS.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ

ORAL ORDER

1. Petitioner is before this court seeking for the following reliefs:

"a. Issue a writ of mandamus directing Respondent No.1 to consider the representations dated 05.09.2023, 12.12.2023, 05.03.2024, 04.06.2024, 03.10.2024, 04.01.2025, 18.04.2025 and 14.05.2025 (2 Nos.) at Annexure-F to F8 and direct the respondents to release amount of Rs.9,45,656/- (Rupees Nine Lakh Forty-Five Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty–Six Only) towards the work order dated 17.04.2023 along with an interest of 18% per annum from the date it is due till the date of payments.

b. Grant such other reliefs as maybe found expedient in the interest of justice and equity.”

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the bills which had been submitted by the petitioner for the works carried out were not paid. As such, the petitioner has submitted representations on 05.09.2023, 12.12.2023, 05.03.2024, 04.06.2024, 03.10.2024, 04.01.2025, 18.04.2025 and 14.05.2025 (2 Nos.) at Annexures-F to F8 seeking for the said payments. Even the said representations not having been considered, the petitioner is before this Court seeking for the aforesaid reliefs.

3. Whenever any bills and/or representation is submitted to the employer to make payment, it is required for the said employer to consider the said bills and either make payment or reject the request made within a reasonable period of time.

4. Needless to say, if an order of rejection is passed, the same is required to be accompanied by reasons. Neither having been done, I pass following:

ORDER

[i] Writ Petition is allowed [ii] A mandamus is issued directing respondent No.1 to consider the representations dated 05.09.2023, 12.12.2023, 05.03.2024, 04.06.2024, 03.10.2024, 04.01.2025, 18.04.2025 and 14.05.2025 (2 Nos.) at Annexures-F to F8 and pass necessary orders within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

[iii] It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the entitlement of the petitioner to the money spent.

SD/-

(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ)

JUDGE C