- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25228-DB WP No. 15851 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF MAY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ AND THE HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE K.MANMADHA RAO WRIT PETITION NO. 15851 OF 2026 (GM-MM_S) BETWEEN: SRI. H.T. RAVI S/O. SRI THOPAIAH, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, OCCUPATION BUSINESS, R/AT VIVEKANANDA LAYOUT, 3RD STAGE, MARKET ROAD, KUSHALANAGAR TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT- 571 234, …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRASANNA V R.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPT. OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, VIKASA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE DIRECTOR, DEP. OF MINES AND GEOLOGIST, NO.49, RACE COURSE ROAD, KHANJIA BHAVANA, BENGALURU 560 001. 3. THE SENIOR GEOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, KODAGU DISTRICT, MADIKERI-571 201, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25228-DB WP No. 15851 of 2026 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. I. TARANATH POOJARY., AAG A/W SRI. SHAMANTH NAIK., AGA FOR R1- R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE WRIT OF CERTIORARI, QUASHING THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED.24.04.2026 IN NO.GABHUE/HIBHUV(KO)/OTS-NOTICE/2026- 27/54 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT SENIOR GEOLOGIST ANNEXURE-A, DEMANDING RS.5,98,18,150/- AS FINE BY INVOKING THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 44-A OF THE KARNATAKA MINOR MINERALS CONCESSION (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2026 AS ONE TIME SETTLEMENT (OTS). WITH PENAL PROVISIONS IN CASE OF NON- COMPLIANCE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF SAID NOTICE AND ETC. THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ and HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE K.MANMADHA RAO ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) 1. Learned AGA accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 to 3. 2. The Petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs; (a) Writ of Certiorari, quashing the Demand Notice dated 24.04.2026 in No.GaBhuE/HibhuV(Ko)/OTS- Notice/2026-27/54 issued by the 3rd Respondent Senior Geologist Annexure-A, demanding Rs. 5,98,18,150/- as - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25228-DB WP No. 15851 of 2026 fine by invoking the provisions of Rule 44-A of the Karnataka Minor Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2026 as One Time Settlement (OTS) with penal provisions in case of non-compliance within 30 days from the date of receipt of said notice. (b) Issue any other writ or order to meets in the end of justice. 3. Sri I. Taranath Poojary, learned Additional Advocate General submits that the impugned demand notice at Annexure-A will be treated as a show cause, the petitioner would be entitled to submit his reply along with necessary document which would be considered and necessary orders passed. 4. Sri Prasanna V.R., learned counsel for the petitioner submits that reply would be submitted within 15 days from today. 5. Placing both the submissions on record, the petition stands disposed directing the respondents to pass orders on the reply submitted by the petitioner. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25228-DB WP No. 15851 of 2026 6. Until such orders are passed, respondents, needless to say, would not be entitled to take any coercive steps against the petitioner. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE Sd/- (DR.K.MANMADHA RAO) JUDGE KTY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 44