- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16455-DB WP No. 4565 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA WRIT PETITION NO. 4565 OF 2026 (LB-BMP) BETWEEN: SHARANU M SON OF LATE SRI MALLIKARJUNA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS ADVOCATE S.N. LAW ASSOCIATES NO. 14/3, 13TH CROSS, CUBBONPET BENGALURU 560 002 MOBILE 95382 05626 EMAIL SNLAWASSOCIATE6@GMAIL.COM PAN NO. AIZPV1256G AADHAAR No.564006553822 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAMESH CHANDRA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARANATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT, MULTISTORIED BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (HEAD OF FOREST FORCE), ARANYA BHAVANA, MALLESHWARAM, Digitally signed by NIRMALA DEVI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16455-DB WP No. 4565 of 2026 BENGALURU 560003 3. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER GREATER BENGALURU AUTHORITY N.R. SQUARE, BENGALURU - 560 002 4. SPECIAL COMMISSIONER - ENVIRONMENT/FOREST, GBA ANNEXE BUILDING-3, N.R. CHOWK, BENGALURU - 560 002 5. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (CFO), GBA ANNEXE BUILDING-3, N.R. CHOWK, BENGALURU - 560 002 6. ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ACF), GBA ANNEXE BUILDING-3, N.R. CHOWK, BENGALURU - 560002 …RESPONDENTS (BY MS. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA FOR R1 & R2 SRI. NAVEEN CHANDRASHEKAR, ADVOCATE FOR R3 TO R6) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING THAT WHEREFORE, IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES STATED ABOVE, AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, THE PETITIONER MOST HUMBLY AND RESPECTFULLY PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING RESPONDENTS TO IDENTIFY AND TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE ALL CONOCARPUS TREES PLANTED BY BBMP/GBA FOREST UNIT ACROSS BENGALURU CITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AREAS MAHARANI COLLEGE ROAD NEAR CITY CIVIL COURT, ROAD MEDIANS, - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16455-DB WP No. 4565 of 2026 AND ROADSIDES AS IDENTIFIED IN THIS PETITION AND CONSEQUENTLY, DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND INITIATE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST OFFICIALS AND CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR FRAUDULENT BILLING AND ENDANGERING PUBLIC HEALTH. 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 ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition as a public interest litigation, inter alia, praying that directions be issued to respondents to identify and to immediately remove all Conocarpus trees planted by the BBMP/GBA Forest Unit across Bengaluru city including but not limited to the areas of Maharani College Road near City Civil Court, road medians, and road sides as identified by the petitioner. The petitioner claims that the said trees are hazardous. They flower during winter season and release pollen that causes respiratory illness and difficulty in breathing. The petitioner also states that the Government of Gujarat as well as the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:16455-DB WP No. 4565 of 2026 Government of Tamil Nadu have prohibited plantation of the said trees. 2. The question whether Conocarpus trees ought to be planted in the city is a matter that is required to be considered by the concerned authorities. 3. In view of the above, we do not consider it apposite to pass any order in the present petition. However, insofar as future plantation is concerned, it is expected that the concerned authorities shall also take into account the contents of the present petition and the issues highlighted by the petitioner. The petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observation. 4. All pending applications are also disposed of. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE Vmb, List No.: 2 Sl No.: 4