- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:48233 WP No. 34784 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 34784 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: PIONEER POWER CORPORATION LIMITED A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT PLOT NO. 652, ROOM NO.3, BANJARA HILLS, HYDERABAD - 34 AND HAVING ITS REGIONAL OFFICE AT, NO.156, GOLF LINK ROAD, AMARJYOTHI HBCS LAYOUT, DOMLURU, BANGALORE - 560 071 REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE/SIGNATORY MR. B SAILESH REDDY …PETITIONER (BY SMT. NALINA MAYEGOWDA, SR. ADVOCATE FOR SMT. GAYATHRI B.S, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001. 2. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:48233 WP No. 34784 of 2025 ARANYA BHAVAN, 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003. 3. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE, REGIONAL OFFICE SOUTHERN ZONE, KENDRIYA SADAN, IVTH FLOOR, E AND F WINGS, 17TH MAIN ROAD, IIND BLOCK, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 560 034 4. DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST KOLLEGALA, CHAMARAJANAGARA - 571 440 5. DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST MALAI MAHADESHWARA WILDLIFE DIVISION, KOLLEGAL - 571 490. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B. RAVINDRANATH, AGA FOR R1 TO R5) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT AUTHORITIES TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF RENEWAL AND PASS APPROPRIATE ORDERS ON THE RENEWAL APPLICATION FILED BY THE PETITIONER COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO RANGANATHASWAMY MINI HYDEL PROJECT BEARING PROPOSAL NO.FP/KA/HYD/IRRIG/534645/2025 DATED 27.12.2024 AS PER (ANNEXURE- N) AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Learned Additional Government Advocate accepts notice for respondent Nos.1, 2, 4 and 5. Sri. Shanthi Bhushan, - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:48233 WP No. 34784 of 2025 learned DSGI is directed to accept notice for respondent No.3. 2. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: (a) Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent Authorities to expedite the process of renewal and pass appropriate orders on the renewal application filed by the Petitioner Company with respect to Ranganathaswamy Mini Hydel Project bearing proposal по. FP/KA/HYD/IRRIG/534645/2025 dated 27.12.2024 as per (Annexure N), in the interest of justice and equity; (b) Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ or order directing Respondent No.5 to withdraw the Communication bearing no. B2/Land/Aranya Bhoomi Guttige/CR-07/2020-21 dated 05.11.2025 as per (Annexure R); 3. The short grievance of the petitioner is that the renewal application said to be submitted by the petitioner on 27.12.2024, is yet to be considered by respondent No.5. 4. Whenever, any application for renewal is submitted, it is required for the concerned authority to consider the application and pass necessary orders within a reasonable period of time either accepting or rejecting the said application. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:48233 WP No. 34784 of 2025 5. Needless to say, if the renewal application were to be rejected, the same would have to be accompanied by reasons. 6. Admittedly, the application having been filed on 27.12.2024, is still pending consideration. Hence, respondent No.5 is directed to consider the said application and pass necessary orders within a period of 21 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the entitlement of the petitioner for the renewal. 8. Needless to say, until orders are passed on the renewal application, the petitioner would have to be permitted to continue to operate the Mini Hydel Power Project. 9. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE GJM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 25