- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:28199-DB WP No. 18011 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JULY, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C M JOSHI WRIT PETITION NO. 18011 OF 2025 (GM-RES-PIL) BETWEEN: 1. KARNATAKA RAJYA RAITHA SANGHA AND HASIRU SENE CHIKKAKONDAGULA KOPPALU TEJURU POST KASABA HOBLI, HASSAN TALUK KARNATAKA - 573 201 REPRESENTED BY ITS STATE CONVENOR S. MOHAMMED SADIQ …PETITIONER (BY SRI RAJESH MAHALE, SENIOR ADVOCATE A/W SRI PARIKSHITH MALIYE, ADVOCATE FOR SRI K.C. SUDARSHAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. KARNATAKA STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE ARANYA BHAVAN, 18TH CROSS MALLESHWARAM BENGALURU - 560 003 REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS. Digitally signed by SUMATHY KANNAN Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:28199-DB WP No. 18011 of 2025 3. DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS ARANYA BHAVAN HASSAN KARNATAKA -573 201. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA FOR R-1 TO 3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT AUTHORITIES TO FORTHWITH SHUT DOWN THE SAWING OPERATION BY ALL UNLICENSED WOOD-BASED INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE OF KARNATAKA. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: 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 public interest litigation, inter alia praying that directions be issued to the respondents to shut down sawing operations by all unlicensed wood-based industries in the State of Karnataka. 2. The petitioner alleges that there are a large number of wood-based industries that are procuring wood illegally, and carrying on industries, without licence. The petitioner has also - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:28199-DB WP No. 18011 of 2025 set out a list of certain industries in the District of Hassan, which is annexed as Annexure-"R" to the present petition. 3. In view of the averments made in the present petition, we consider it apposite to direct the respondents to examine the petitioner's grievance and to ascertain whether the entities as mentioned in Annexure-"R", in the District of Hassan, are operating illegally. 4. In the event the respondents find that the industries are operating illegally and contrary to law, the concerned authority shall take necessary steps, albeit, in accordance with law. 5. The writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C M JOSHI) JUDGE KS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4