IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 549 OF 2025 (GM-FOR)

BETWEEN:

M/S. MODALA PLY PRODUCTS REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR DR. M.N. RAO,S/O ESHWARAIAH AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS RESIDING AT GAVANAHALLI CHIKMAGALURU - 577 101.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. DINESH RAO N, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FOREST Digitally signed M.S. BUILDING, by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA BANGALORE - 560 001.

Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

2. THE DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST CHIKMAGALURU DIVISION D DEVARAJ URS BHVAN AIT COLLEGE ROAD CHIKMAGALURU - 577 101.

3. RANGE FOREST OFFICER CHIKMAGALURU DIVISION D DEVAERAJ URS BHAVAN AIT COLLEGE ROAD CHIKMAGALUR - 577 101.

4. ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, (FOREST RESOURCES CONSERVATION), ARANAYA BHAVANA,MALLESHWARAM BANGALORE - 560 003.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B. RAVINDRANATH, AGA)

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITTUION OF INDIA PRAYING TO i) DIRECTING R2 AND 3 TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE DATED 28/10/2024 COPY OF WHICH IS PRODUCED AS ANN-G AND ETC., 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. Learned AGA accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 to

4.

2. Petitioner is before this Court seeking for following reliefs:

i. Issue a Writ, direction or order including a writ of Mandamus directing Respondent Nos.2 and 3 to give effect to the permission granted by the State Level Committee dated 28.10.2024 copy of which is produced as Annexure-G;

ii. Direct the respondents to consider the application submitted by the petitioner on 25.06.2015, vide Annexure A and representation dated 09.10.2024 vide Annexure F and;

iii. Grant such other and further reliefs as this Hon'ble Court deems fit under the circumstances of the case in the interest of justice and equity.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the application submitted by the petitioner for installation of additional horizontal saw and two peeling machines on 25.06.2015 has not been considered by respondent No.2 despite delegation had been made on him on

28.10.2024 vide Annexure-'G'.

4. Whenever any application is made to State authority for grant of license or otherwise permission is required, it is for the State to consider the same and pass necessary orders within a reasonable period of time either accepting or rejecting the request made.

But, neither has been done in the instant writ petition and accordingly, the writ petition is allowed

5. Mandamus is issued directing respondent No.2 to consider the application dated 25.06.2015 of the petitioner at Annexure-A and representation dated 09.10.2024 at Annexure-F and pass necessary orders within a period of 30 (thirty) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

SD/-

(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ)

JUDGE SSD List No.: 1 Sl No.: 2 CT: BHK