THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI, QUASHING THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED 14.05.2026 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT SENIOR GEOLOGIST VIDE ANNEXURE-A DEMANDING RS.10,25,56,068/- AS FINE BY INVOKING THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 44-A OF THE KARNATAKA MINOR MINERALS CONCESSION (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2026 AS ONE TIME SETTLEMENT (OTS) WITH PENAL PROVISIONS IN CASE OF NON-COMPLIANCE AND ETC.

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

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE

and

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA

ORAL ORDER

(PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE)

1. The learned Government Advocate accepts notice for the respondents.

2. The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, impugning the demand notice dated 14.05.2026 issued by respondent No.3 demanding an amount of `10,25,56,068/- as penalty in terms of the provisions of Rule 44A of the Karnataka