- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:5157 WP No. 3076 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 5TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R DEVDAS WRIT PETITION NO. 3076 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: SHARATH KUMAR N S S/O LATE SIDDEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, NELAMAKANAHALLI VILLAGE, KIRUGAVAL HOBLI, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 430. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SUMAN M, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. DINESH RAO N, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001. 2. THE DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, MANDYA DIVISION, 6TH CROSS, SUBASH NAGAR, MANDYA - 571 401. 3. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER, MALAVALLI RANGE, MALAVALLI - 571 430. 4. ADDITIONAL CHIEF PRINCIPAL CONSERVATOR OF FOREST Digitally signed by KAVYA R Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:5157 WP No. 3076 of 2025 (FOREST CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT), ARANYA BHAVANA, 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. H.K. KENCHE GOWDA, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE R-2 TO 4 TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION DATED 25.10.2022 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER COPY OF WHICH IS PRODUCED AS ANNX-A AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R DEVDAS ORAL ORDER Learned Additional Government Advocate is directed to take notice for all the respondents. 2. The petitioner contends that he has been running a plywood and veneer industry under the name and style of Sri.Siddeshwara Wood Industries in Mandya District. The petitioner has filed an application for a grant of license for a plywood/veneer (peeling) unit. It is contended that a spot inspection was caused and survey was also conducted - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:5157 WP No. 3076 of 2025 and respondent No.3-Range Forest Officer, has recommended the grant of a license in favour of the petitioner. The recommendation was made on 15.02.2023, and till date, license have not been granted to the petitioner. Therefore, the prayer in the writ petition is to issue a writ of mandamus directing respondent Nos.2 to 4 to consider the application dated 25.10.2022 filed by the petitioner. 3. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2-Deputy Conservators of Forest, Mandya Division, to consider the application filed by the petitioner and pass necessary orders as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Sd/- (R DEVDAS) JUDGE rv List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4 CT: BHK