- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010420012022 NC: 2026:KHC:42838 WP No. 18395 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 18395 OF 2022 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SRI GANGADEVI VIVIDODDESHA MEENUGARARA SAHAKARA SANGHA NIYAMITHA REP BY ITS SECRETARY SHASHIDHAR, S/O H V NARAYANAPPA, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, R/OF HALASHETTIHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, MAGADI TALUK, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT A COMPANY REGISTRAR UNDER CO-OP SOCIETY ACT 1959 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VENKATARAMAREDDY V., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES IN KARNATAKA 3RD FLOOR, PODIUM BLOCK, VISHVESHWARAIAH CENTRE, AMBEDKAR STREET, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE JOINT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTORATE OF FISHERIES, PODIUM BLOCK, VISHVESHWARAIAH CENTRE, AMBEDKAR STREET, BENGALURU-560 001. 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES RAMANAGARA DISTRICT, Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010420012022 NC: 2026:KHC:42838 WP No. 18395 of 2022 RAMANAGARA-562 159. 4. THE ASST.DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES MAGADI TALUK, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT-562 159. 5. SHIVAGANGA BESTHARA MEENUGARARA SAHAKARA SANGHA NIYAMITHA BY ITS SECRETARY, PARANGICHIKKANA PALYA, KASABA HOBLI, MAGADI-562 120 A COMPANY REGISTRAR UNDER CO-OP SOCIETY ACT 1959. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SRINIVAS KUMAR M., HCGP FOR R1 TO R4; SRI. GOPAL., ADVOCATE FOR R5) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER PASSED BY THE R-1 i.e THE DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES DATED 25.08.2022 IN NO.DOF/TECHOALLI/2010/ 2022 E-821226 AS PER ANNEXURE-G AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010420012022 NC: 2026:KHC:42838 WP No. 18395 of 2022 ORAL ORDER 1. Heard Sri. Vivek Subba Reddy, learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondents. 2. The grievance of the petitioner was that his application seeking grant of fishery rights in respect of ''Kempasagara lake'' for a period of 5 years from the year 2022-23 to 2026-27 has not been considered. Instead application filed by respondent No.5 has been considered. The reasons for non-consideration of the application of the petitioner was that the petitioner had not furnished the documents as enlisted at ''Annexure-1'' to the guidelines for Inland Fisheries Policy, 2014. 3. Learned Senior counsel for the petitioner further submits that though petitioner has submitted all the required records including the latest register of its office-bearers, the respondent-Authorities without considering the same, more particularly with regard to the working jurisdiction of the petitioner, has erroneously granted fishery rights in favour of respondent No.5. Hence, he seeks for reversal of the impugned proceedings and orders produced at Annexures-F and G. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010420012022 NC: 2026:KHC:42838 WP No. 18395 of 2022 4. Learned AGA, justifying the order passed by the respondent No.1-Director of Fisheries, submits that the petitioner had failed to furnish the records, more particularly, with regard to its audited finance report for the relevant period. He also refers to the un-numbered paragraph 4 of the impugned proceedings at Annexure-F and submits that the petitioner had suspended its operation for a considerable period of time and during this period respondent No.5 was active within that area, which was also one of the factors considered by the respondent-Authorities. He further submits that the lease period of five years, which commenced on 01.07.2022 is to be expired on 30.06.2027 and respondent No.5 in whose favour lease was granted has complied with the terms including payment of the lease amount. 5. He further submits that, at this juncture the request made by the petitioner cannot be considered, as the relief being sought has rendered itself ineffective. He however submits that upon expiry of the current lease period, as and when the applications are called for, the petitioner is at liberty to participate in the same and the applications so received including of the petitioner will be considered strictly in accordance with the fishery policy. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010420012022 NC: 2026:KHC:42838 WP No. 18395 of 2022 6. Learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that since the period of lease is likely to expire on June 2027, a direction be issued to the respondent-Authorities to consider the case of the petitioner without being influenced by the impugned order as and when the applications are called for. 7. Submissions is placed on record. 8. Petition is disposed of. 9. Petitioner is at liberty to participate as and when the applications are called for by the respondent-Authorities. Upon such application being filed by the petitioner and on complying with all the eligibility criteria required under the applicable Fishery Policy, the respondent-Authorities shall consider the said application. Sd/- (M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE RL List No.: 1 Sl No.: 11