- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26992 WP No. 13745 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 5TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 13745 OF 2026 (GM-FOR) BETWEEN: 1. SRI. O.S.T.M. MEYYAPPAN, SON OF SRI. O.T.O.S. THENAPPA CHETTIAR AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS 2. SMT. M. ALAMELU, WIFE OF SRI. O.S.T.M. MEYAPPAN, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS BOTH ARE RESIDENTS OF KESHAVINAHALLA ESTATE, KARADIGODU VILLAGE, AMMATHI HOBLI, VIRAJPET TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT PETITIONER NO.1 AND 2 IS REPRESENTED BY THEIR POWER OF ATTORNEY 3. M.A. SHAMEER AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS S/O MM ABDULLA PROPRIETOR, RAHATH TIMBERS PATEL NAGAR, GONIKOPPAL, PONNAMPET TALUK, KODAGU-571 213 … PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SACHIN B S., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (DCF) VIRAJPET SUB DIVISION, KODAGU-571 218 … RESPONDENT (BY SMT. SARITHA KULKARNI, AGA FOR R1) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26992 WP No. 13745 of 2026 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO A) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION, THEREBY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO RELEASE/PAY THE TOTAL SALE PROCEEDS REALIZED IN RESPECT OF THE PETITIONERS' TIMBER AND BILLETS, AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY RS.2,42,75,411/- (RUPEES TWO CRORE FORTY- TWO LAKHS SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND ELEVEN ONLY) BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATION DATED. 10.02.2026 AS PER ANNEXURE-A 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 ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioners are before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, thereby directing the Respondents to release/pay the total sale proceeds realized in respect of the petitioners' timber and billets, amounting to approximately Rs.2,42,75,411/- (Rupees Two Crore Forty-Two Lakhs Seventy-Five Thousand Four Hundred and Eleven only) by considering the representation dated: 10.02.2026 as per ANNEXURE-A, b. Issue any other writ or order or direction that deems fit to grants in the circumstances of the case in the interest of justice and equity. 2. The petitioners are claiming to be the owners of the land in Survey Nos.99 and 40/1 of Karadigodu Village, Ammathi Hobli, Virajpet Taluk, Kodagu District, - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26992 WP No. 13745 of 2026 contended that there were certain trees standing on the said property which were cut and subsequently sold. The sale proceeds being with the respondent despite representation having been submitted by the petitioner has not been released. 3. Whenever any representation is made by a citizen to any Authority, the same is required to be considered, necessary orders passed within a reasonable period of time either accepting or rejecting the request made. 4. In the present case the representation has been submitted on 10.02.2026 at Annexure-A, no action has been taken either accepting or rejecting the said request. 5. In that view of the matter, I pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed. ii. Mandamus is issued, directing respondent to consider the representation dated 10.02.2026 at Annexure-A, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26992 WP No. 13745 of 2026 iii. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the entitlement of the permission sought for by the petitioners. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE KTY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 48