- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:32792-DB WP No. 18017 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF AUGUST, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C M JOSHI WRIT PETITION NO. 18017 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: 1. M/S M. HANUMANTHA RAO A REGISTERED PARTNERSHIP FIRM REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER ARUN KUMAR CHIRANIA S/O SHYAM SUNDAR CHIRANIA AGE: 56 YEARS, NO.37, MAIN ROAD PATEL NAGAR, BALLARI - 583 101. …PETITIONER (BY SRI DHIRAJ A.K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT M.S. BUILDING, GATE NO.2 BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, (FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) 5TH FLOOR, ARANYA BHAVAN, 18TH CROSS Digitally signed by SUMATHY KANNAN Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:32792-DB WP No. 18017 of 2025 MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU - 560 003. 3. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (HEAD OF FOREST FORCE) 4TH FLOOR, ARANYA BHAVAN 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM BENGALURU - 560 003. 4. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER (DFO) CHITRADURGA DIVISION CHITRADURGA - 577 501. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO HOLD THAT THE ACTION OF RESPONDENTS IN INSISTING ON PETITIONER TO OBTAIN SEPARATE FOREST PASS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ROUTES INDICATED IN RELEASE ORDER BY DEDUCTING APPLICATION FEES UNDER RULE 145 OF KARNATAKA FOREST RULES 1969 ON SUCH FOREST PRODUCE MORE THAN ONCE AS ILLEGAL & ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:32792-DB WP No. 18017 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C M JOSHI ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia impugning the action of the respondents in insisting on obtaining separate forest pass for primary and secondary routes. According to the petitioner, he moves the iron ore to a stockyard under a permit and thereafter further moves the same product to its final destination. According to the petitioner, he is not required to obtain two permits for the same product. 2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that he has already filed a representation and would be satisfied if directions are issued for the same to be considered in accordance with the prevalent rules. The learned Additional Government Advocate has no objection if the present petition is disposed of with the said observations. 3. In view of the above, the present petition is disposed of by directing the concerned authorities to consider the petitioner’s - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:32792-DB WP No. 18017 of 2025 representation dated 11.04.2025 [annexed as Annexure-"H" to the present petition] in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible. We clarify that we have not expressed any opinion as to the merits of the petitioner's contention. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C M JOSHI) JUDGE KS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 11