- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7776-DB WP No. 2939 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA WRIT PETITION NO. 2939 OF 2026 (GM-MM_S) BETWEEN: Y SRIDHAR S/O Y. PITCHESHWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, RESIDING AT BELLARY ROAD, NEAR SHANTHINIKETANA SCHOOL, 14TH WARD, SIRUGUPPA, BALLARI DISTRICT 583 121 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MAHENDRA S S, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRICIPLE SECRETARY (MINES), DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, VIKAS SOUDHA, 1ST FLOOR, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, KHANIJA BHAVAN, RACE COURSE ROAD, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Digitally signed by NIRMALA DEVI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7776-DB WP No. 2939 of 2026 DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, KHANIJA BHAVAN, NEAR 2ND RAILWAY GATE, HOSPET ROAD, CANTONMENT, BALLARI 583 104 4. THE SENIOR GEOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, KHANIJA BHAVAN, NEAR 2ND RAILWAY GATE, HOSPET ROAD, CANTONMENT, BALLARI - 583 104 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.K.S. HARISH, GA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING RESPONDENT NO.3 - THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, BALLARI, TO CONSIDER AND PASS APPROPRIATE ORDERS ON THE PETITIONERS REPRESENTATIONS DATED 14/01/2026 (ANNEXURE-A) AND 15/05/2023 (ANNEXURE-A1), TO EXECUTE THE QUARRY LEASE DEED FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30 YEARS) IN FAVOUR OF THE PETITIONER IN RESPECT OF 4 ACRES IN SY.NO.525 OF HALEKOTE VILLAGE, SIRUGUPPA TALUK, BALLARI DISTRICT, IN PURSUANCE OF THE GRANT NOTIFICATION DATED 26/03/2021 AND CORRIEGNDUM NOTIFICATION DATED 14/06/2021, IN TERMS OF THE KARNATAKA MINOR MINERAL CONCESSION (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2023. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7776-DB WP No. 2939 of 2026 ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. Issue notice. 2. The learned AGA accepts notice for respondents. 3. The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying as under: a. Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, Order or Direction directing Respondent No.3 -the Deputy Director, Department of Mines and Geology, Ballari, to consider and pass appropriate orders on the Petitioner's Representations dated 14.01.2026 (Annexure-A) and 15.05.2023 (Annexure-A1), to execute the quarry lease deed for a period of thirty (30) years in favour of the Petitioner in respect of 4 acres in Sy. No. 525 of Halekote Village, Siruguppa Taluk, Ballari District, in pursuance of the Grant Notification dated 26.03.2021 & Corrigendum Notification dated 14.06.2021, in terms the Karnataka Minor Mineral of Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2023; b. Grant such other Order or Orders, Direction or Directions, as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity. 4. It is the petitioner's case that he applied for a quarry lease on 14.07.2014 which has not been disposed of as yet. The petitioner claimed that he has submitted a detailed representation dated 14.01.2026 praying that the quarry lease be executed for 30 years pursuant to the grant notification dated 26.03.2025. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7776-DB WP No. 2939 of 2026 5. Learned AGA submits that the representation would be considered and appropriate order would be passed within a period of twelve weeks from date. 6. The petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observations. 7. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE Vmb List No.: 2 Sl No.: 7