- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38560 WP No. 25171 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN WRIT PETITION NO. 25171 OF 2025 (LB-RES) BETWEEN: 1. MURTHY A Y S/O. YALAKKI GOWDA, CLASS I CONTRACTOR AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, HEGGADEHLLI VILLAGE, KODIGE POST, KUSHAL NAGAR TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT -571232 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. LETHIF B.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU 560 001. REP.BY ITS ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY. 2. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF PANCHAYATH RAJ, M.S BUILDING, BENGALURU 560 001. Digitally signed by CHAITHANYA K Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38560 WP No. 25171 of 2025 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, KODAGU DISTRICT, MADIKERI 571 201 4. THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PANCHAYATH RAJ DEPARTMENT PANCHAYATH RAJ ENGINEERING DIVISION - SOMWARPET KODAGU DISTRICT - 571 236 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.BOPANNA BELLIAPPA., AGA FOR R1 TO R3., SRI.P.B.ACHAPPA., ADVOCATE FOR R4 (THROUGH VC) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED PRAYING TO ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.3 AND 4 TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION AT ANNEXURE-F, DATED 14.05.2025 BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT TO RELEASE THE ENTIRE BILL AMOUNT IN FAVOUR OF THE PETITIONER FORTHWITH IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING / PHYSICAL HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38560 WP No. 25171 of 2025 ORAL ORDER The case of the petitioner is that he is a Class-I contractor and his services have been availed by respondent No.4. It is submitted that inspite of completing the work, Panchayath has not yet paid him all the amounts due and hence, he has submitted a representation dated 14.05.2025 along with the necessary particulars. As the same has not been considered so far, the present writ petition is filed with a prayer to direct respondent Nos.3 and 4 to consider the representation of the petitioner and pay him the amounts due to him. 2. Learned Additional Government Advocate, upon instructions, submits that the services of the petitioner were hired by respondent No.4. However, the amount claimed by the petitioner is disputed. Nevertheless, he submits that the request of the petitioner will be considered and the admitted amount, if any, will be paid to the petitioner. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38560 WP No. 25171 of 2025 3. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER I. Respondent No.4 is directed to consider the request of the petitioner and release the admitted amounts, if any, within a period of eight (08) weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. II. In respect of disputed amounts, it is needless to state that the petitioner is having the necessary liberty to approach the Civil Court/Arbitration in the manner known to law. Sd/- (M.I.ARUN) JUDGE CH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 70