- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:4966 WP No. 3171 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R DEVDAS WRIT PETITION NO. 3171 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: M.K. AGROTECH PVT. LTD., REPRESENTED BY MARUF NO. 389, KAVARI LAYOUT, MB ROAD, SRIRANGAPATNA, MANDYA - 571 438 (REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER MR. BABU M, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS) …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRAVEEN M. THIMMAIAH, 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, ARANYA BHAVANA, MANDYA DIVISION, MANDYA - 571 401. 3. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SRIRANGAPATNA RANGE, SRIRANGAPATNA, MANDYA DISTRICT - 571 438. Digitally signed by DHARMALINGAM Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:4966 WP No. 3171 of 2025 4. ADDITIONAL CHIEF PRINCIPAL CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, (FOREST CONSERVATOR AND MANAGEMENT) ARANYA BHAVANA, 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SESHU V, HCGP) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE R-2 TO 4 TO ISSUE APPLICATION FOR LICENSE FOR USING CHIPPING UNIT AND ON SUBMISSION OF THE SAME TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION VIDE ANNX-C DATED 13.01.2025 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER 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. It is the contention of the petitioner that the petitioner is a manufacturer of sunflower edible oil and for the process of manufacturing the oil, the petitioner needs wood - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:4966 WP No. 3171 of 2025 pallets/chippings. The petitioner is not trading in wood blocks/pallets and the same is only used for self-consumption. It is contended that prior to the amendment brought to Rule 163 of the Karnataka Forest Rules, 1969, Chipping Units were exempted from obtaining license under the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 and the Rules therein. However, after amendment, the officials of the Forest Department are now insisting that a license should be obtained under Rule 163 of the Karnataka Forest Rules 1969. The prayer therefore is to issue a writ of mandamus directing respondent Nos.2 to 4 to issue an application form for grant of license in terms of the representation at Annexure-C dated 13.01.2025 given by the petitioner. 3. Therefore, the writ petition stands disposed of, permitting the petitioner to file an application without any prescribed format, seeking grant of licence for establishing the Chipping Unit. Respondents are directed to consider the same in accordance with law. The petitioner shall file an application within a period of two weeks from today. If such an application is filed by the petitioner, respondent-Authorities are required to consider the same in accordance with law and pass necessary - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:4966 WP No. 3171 of 2025 orders, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within a period of six weeks from the date of submission of application by the petitioner. Sd/- (R DEVDAS) JUDGE rv List No.: 1 Sl No.: 5 CT: BHK