- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23946 WP No. 13779 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 13779 OF 2026 (EXCISE) BETWEEN: SRI VENKATARAMU B S AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, S/O LATE B.V.SRINIVASA, RESIDING AT 1100/A, 10TH MAIN, GOKULAM III STAGE, MYSORE - 570 002. SENIOR CITIZEN BENIFIT NOT CLAIMED …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MOHAN MAHABALESHWARA BHAT.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE IN KARNATAKA, NO.27, 2ND FLOOR, TTMC, SHANTHINAGAR BUS TERMINAL, SHANTHI NAGAR, BENGALURU - 560 027. 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, SIDDHARTHANAGAR (SIDDHARTHA LAYOUT), BANNUR ROAD, MYSURU - 570 011. 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE, MYSORE RURAL DISTRICT, BUILDING NO:1/S.A.T., J.C.S.T. NEXT TO SAMRAT KALYANA MANDAP, UDAYARAVI ROAD, Digitally signed by MAHALAKSHMI B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23946 WP No. 13779 of 2026 I BLOCK, KUVEMPUNAGAR MYSORE - 570 023. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. MANJUNATH B.,AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF THE PETITIONER FOR GRANT OF CL-7 LICENSE IN RESPECT OF THE PREMISES NO. 69/ /1A1 AND 69//8 PROPERTY NO. 444/13, MALLUPURA VILLAGE, BILIKERE HOBLI, NANJANAGUDU TALUK IN N TERMS OF THE HIS APPLICATION AS PER ANNX-C AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA ORAL ORDER Learned Addl. Government Advocate accepts notice for the respondents. 2. The petitioner has approached this Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider his application for grant of CL-7 license in respect of the premises bearing No.69/*/1A1 and 69/*/A property No.444/413, Mallapura Village, Bilikere Hobli, Nanjanagudu Taluk as per Annexure-C. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23946 WP No. 13779 of 2026 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner in compliance with the requirements submitted a formal application on 13.12.2025 (Annexure-C) in the prescribed format and also paid the requisite license fees. Despite lapse of considerable time, the said application was not considered by the respondents, and thereafter the petitioner further submitted a representation. It is submitted that the application was reportedly recommended and under consideration, however, no final decision was taken. 4. Learned Addl. Government Advocate appearing for the respondents fairly submits that the application of the petitioner would be considered in accordance with law within a reasonable time. 5. The said submission is recorded. 6. The material on record would indicate that though the application was submitted as early as in December, 2025 and subsequent representation have also - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23946 WP No. 13779 of 2026 been made, the same has not been considered till date. The authorities, being statutory functionaries, are required to consider the applications in accordance with the provisions of the Karnataka Excise Rules, 1967 within a reasonable time. 7. Having regard to the submission made by the learned AGA, and having regard to the limited relief sought in this writ petition, this Court is of the considered opinion that the ends of justice would be met by directing the respondents to consider the application of the petitioner within a time frame. Accordingly, this Court pass the following: ORDER i) The Writ Petition is disposed of. ii) The respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's application dated 13.12.2025 (Annexure-C) for grant of CL-7 license and pass appropriate orders in - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23946 WP No. 13779 of 2026 accordance with law within a period of two(2) weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. Sd/- _____________________ JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA PHM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 28