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NC: 2026:KHC:18729 WP No. 7568 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM

WRIT PETITION NO. 7568 OF 2026 (GM-RES)

BETWEEN:

M/S. S.R. CONSTRUCTIONS COMPANY CLASS-I PWD CONTRACTOR,

NO.667, 19TH MAIN, PADMANABHANAGARA,

BSK 3RD STAGE, BENGALURU - 560 070 PRESENTLY HAVING ITS OFFICE AT

NO. 1393, 13TH CROSS, MCECHS PHASE-2, DR.

SHIVARAMKARANTH NAGAR, JAKKUR, BENGALURU - 560 064,

REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, SHRI. CHEJARLA SUBBA REDDY

Digitally signed THE INDIAN PARTNERSHIP ACT, 1932.

by SHARADAVANI …PETITIONER B

Location: High (BY SRI. PATIL ASHOK BASANAGOUDA, ADVOCATE)

Court of Karnataka

AND:

1. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA,

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, PORTS AND INLAND WATER TRANSPORT, VIKASA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001.

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2. THE CHIEF ENGINEER, COMMUNICATIONS AND BUILDINGS (SOUTH),

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, K.R. CIRCLE, BENGALURU - 560 001.

3. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, SHIVAMOGGA DIVISION, PWP AND IWTD,

SHIVAMOGGA - 577 202.

4. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA,

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, BENGALURU - 560 001.

5. THE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, ROOM NO.5, GROUND FLOOR,

VIKASA SOUDHA, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA FOR R1 TO R5)

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 266 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO PAY THE SUM OF RS.10,48,843/- WITH INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 24PERCENT PER ANNUM FROM 14- 09-2015 AS PER THE 7TH RUNNING BILL AT ANNEXURE-E, IN

THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND ETC.,

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY

HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM

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ORAL ORDER

The captioned petition is filed by a civil contractor

seeking a writ in the nature of mandamus and direct the respondents to pay a balance sum of Rs.10,48,843/- with interest at the rate of 24% per annum from 14.09.2015 out of the 7^th running bill at Annexure-E and also a sum of Rs.32,22,399/- with interest at the rate of 24% per annum

as per the 8^th final bill at Annexure-H.

2. The petitioner asserts that he was declared as the

successful bidder in respect of construction of “Yatri Nivas” at Sri Ramachandra Mutt situated in Hosanagara Taluk, Shivamogga District. Pursuant to the acceptance of his bid, a formal work order came to be issued in his favour by the competent authority. It is the specific case of the petitioner that he has duly executed and completed the entire construction work entrusted to him in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, to the satisfaction of the respondent authorities. The grievance of the petitioner, however, is that despite completion of the

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project and submission of running and final bills, the respondent authorities have failed to settle the legitimate dues payable to him. The petitioner contends that an amount of Rs.10,48,843/- is due under the 7th running bill (Annexure-E) and a further sum of Rs.32,22,399/- is due under the 8th and final bill (Annexure-H), which also includes the value of additional works executed at the instance of the respondents. Despite repeated representations and issuance of legal notices, there has been inaction and undue delay on the part of the respondents in discharging their admitted financial liability.

3. Learned Additional Government Advocate, on

instructions, fairly submits that the amounts claimed by the petitioner are, in fact, legally due and payable. However, he would contend that the concerned authority is in the process of taking steps to release the said amounts within a reasonable time. He would, therefore, oppose the claim of the petitioner insofar as it relates to the grant of interest, contending that th