- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:46031 WP No. 32807 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 32807 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: SRI SOMASUNDARA K, S/O LATE CHINNAPPA GOWDA, AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS, RESIDING AT KUJAGODU HOUSE, INEKIDU VILLAGE, SUBRAMANYA POST, KADABA TALUK, D.K. DISTRICT-574 238. …PETITIONER (BY SMT. JEEVANA H REDDY, ADVOCATE FOR SRI B.R SRINIVASA GOWDA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY, M.S.BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, FOREST OFFICER, (NODAL OFFICER) HEAD FOREST OFFICE, ARANYA BHAVAN, 4TH FLOOR, MALLESHWARAM 18TH CROSS, BENGALURU-560 003. 3. THE CENTRAL EMPOWERRED COMMITTEE, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND WILD LIFE, II FLOOR, CHANAKYA BHAVAN, CHANAKYAPURI, NEW DELHI-110 001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI B RAVINDRANATH, AGA FOR R-1 & R-2; SRI SHANTHI BHUSHAN, DSGI FOR R-3) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:46031 WP No. 32807 of 2025 THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE RECORDS FROM THE RESPONDENTS NO 2 AND 3 A) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER WRIT OR ORDER, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO 2 AND 3 TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION FILED BY THE PETITIONER VIDE ANNEXURE-C, DATED 17.12.2024 AS DEEMS FIT UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY 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 AGA accepts notice for respondents No.1 and 2, Sri.Shanthi Bhushan.H., 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 writ or order, directing the Respondents No: 2 and 3 to consider the application filed by the Petitioner vide Annexure-C, dated: 17.12.2024 as deems fit under the facts and circumstances of the case in the interest of Justice and Equity. b. Direct the 2nd and 3rd Respondents to expeditiously consider/decide of the Application / representation filed for Renewal of the lease submitted by the Petitioner vide Annexure-C dated: 17.12.2024 in the interest of justice and equity. c. C. Allow this Writ Petition with cost and pass such other order that this Hon'ble Court deems fit under - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:46031 WP No. 32807 of 2025 the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the representation of the petitioner submitted to respondents No.2 and 3 on 17.12.2024 at Annexure-C has not been considered. It is in that background, that the petitioner is before this Court seeking for the aforesaid reliefs 4. Whenever any representation has been submitted by a citizen to any authority, it is required that the said Representation be acted upon and necessary orders be passed within a reasonable period of time, either accepting or rejecting the Representation submitted, in accordance with law. 5. Needless to say, if an order of rejection is passed, the same would have to be accompanied by reasons. Neither having been done, I pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:46031 WP No. 32807 of 2025 ii. A mandamus is issued, directing respondents No.2 and 3 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 17.12.2024 at Annexures-C and pass necessary orders within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE SR/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17