- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33360 WP No. 19975 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 19975 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: M/S. VST TILLERS TRACTORS LTD., A REGISTERED COMPANY HAVING ITS OFFICE AT PLOT NO.-1, DYAVASANDRA INDL. LAYOUT, WHITEFIELD ROAD, MAHADEVPURA POST, BENGALURU-48, KARNATAKA. R/P CHINMAYA KHATUA UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 1956. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. G.B. SHARATH GOWDA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY. 2. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SHESHADRI ROAD, BENGALURU - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS COMMISSIONER. 3. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 4TH FLOOR, M.S. BUILDING, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33360 WP No. 19975 of 2026 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. MOHAMMED JAFFAR SHAH, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO A) ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS, OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION DATED 29.04.2026 AT ANNEXURE - A SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Learned Additional Government Advocate accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 to 3. 2. Petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a. Issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, directing the 2nd respondent to consider the representation dated 29.04.2026 at Annexure-A submitted by the Petitioner; and b. Pass any such other order/s that this Hon'ble Court deems fit under the facts and circumstances of the case in the interest of justice and equity. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33360 WP No. 19975 of 2026 3. The petitioner and the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, had entered into an agreement dated 10.03.2016 for the establishment and operation of Custom Hiring Service Centres (CHCSs) under various government schemes across the state. In pursuance of which, certain machinery was established at 79 CHSC centres across 8 (eight) districts of Karnataka on a franchise model, the claim of the respondents against the petitioner is that many of the equipment which had been installed was not available. 4. The submission of counsel for the petitioner is that the agreement having expired in the year 2022, the franchisees were in possession of the equipment. The petitioner by itself is not responsible and, as such, submitted a representation on 29.04.2026, firstly, seeking for a valuation to be made so as to enable the petitioner to make payment of the depreciated value and, secondly, requesting the respondents to restrain itself from initiating any disciplinary action or lodging any FIR. It is his representation not having been considered, the petitioner is before this Court. 5. Insofar as the disciplinary action and lodging of an FIR, no mandamus can be issued by this Court - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33360 WP No. 19975 of 2026 directing the respondents to consider such a request. But, however, the same would have to be considered only after there is a violation, if any, by the petitioner in non-payment of the value of the machinery since the claim is only as regards the value of the machinery. 6. Hence, the respondents are directed to consider the representation dated 29.04.2026 at Annexure-A insofar as the valuation of the machinery is concerned and furnish to the petitioner the amounts that are required to be paid by the petitioner within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7. Accordingly, the petition stands disposed. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE GJM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 27