- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF WRIT PETITION NO. 17272 OF 2024 (S-KSAT) C/W WRIT PETITION NO. 24882 OF 2023 (S-KSAT) WRIT PETITION NO. 25452 OF 2023 (S-KSAT) IN WP No. 17272/2024 BETWEEN: 1. SRI MANOJ SONA, S/O. LATE S N GANGADHARA GOWDA, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, SONA HOUSE, SONANGERI POST, SULLIA TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT - 574 239. WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, COASTAL AND MARINE ECO-SYSTEM CELL MANGALURU - 575 001. 2. SRI. V. JAGADEESH, S/O LATE VENKAPPA, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, JOLADAL POST, CHANNAGIRI TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT - 577 213. WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SHANTHI SAGAR RANGE, MAVINAKATTE VILLAGE, CHANNAGIRI TALUK, DAVANGERE DISTRICT - 577 221. Digitally signed by REKHA R Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 3. SRI REVANASIDDAYYAB HIREMATH, S/O BUDEYYA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, NO. 91, SRI RACHOTI VEERABHADRESHWARA NIVASA, SHIVAKUMARA SWAMY LAYOUT, KUVEMPU NAGARA 'C' BLOCK, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 216. WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SHIKARIPURA TERRITORIAL RANGE, SHIKARIPURA POST, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 427. 4. MADHUKARA S.V., S/O. VIJENDRAGOWDA B K., AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS, SONALE POST, HOSANAGARATALUK SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 418, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, AGUMBE RANGE, MEGARAVALLI POST, THIRTHAHALLI TALUK. SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 424. 5. UMESH H., C/O GOPALHULMAR, AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS NO.59, NEMMADINILAYA, NES LAYOUT 'B' BLOCK, KUVEMPUNAGAR, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 216, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, TERRITORIAL RANGE, GALIPURA POST, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT - 571 313. 6. MANJUNATHA G., S/O Y.N. GOVINDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, PD KOTE VILLAGE, DHARMAPURA POST HIRIYUR TALUK, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT - 577 546. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SOCIAL FOREST RANGE, KALKATTE VILLAGE, SRINGERI TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 139. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SACHIN B S., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR, OF FOREST, (HEAD OF FOREST FORCES), ARANYA BHAVANA, 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 001. 3. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHIKKAMANGALURU CIRCLE, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 4. SRI RANJITH MK, S/O. KALLANAGOUDA, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. C/O SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 5. SRI. S.R. SANTHOSH KUMAR, S/O RANGANATH, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 FOREST OFFICER CUM SURVEYOR, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KADUR, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 6. SRI. RANJIT KUMAR N L, S/O LOKESHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER CUM SUVEYOR, C/O. FOREST SETTLE OFFICE, KADUR, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 7. SRI. ASHWATH KUMAR K.A., S/O K GOUDA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, FOREST MOBILE SQUAD. CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101, C/O. FOREST MOBILE SQUAD, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 8. SRI. SUNIL B.M., S/O MANJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, C/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE, TANIGEBYLE, BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129, R/AT BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 9. SRI. SHANKARAGOUDA B MUDIGOUDAR, S/O B. MUDIGOUDAR, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. C/O, RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. 10. SRI. NARENDRANATH A KADAM, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, OFFICE OF RANGE FOREST OFFICE, VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363, C/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 362. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. S.H. RAGHAVENDRA, AGA FOR R1 TO R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TOISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION QUASHING THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED:13.10.2023 PASSED BY THE KARNATAKA STATE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL IN A.NOS.1172-1178/2022 (ANNEXURE-A) AND ETC., IN WP NO. 24882/2023 BETWEEN: 1. SRI. B G MANOHAR NAYAK S/O B GANGA NAIK, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, RETIRED RANGE FOREST OFFICER, GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT. - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 PERMANENT ADDRESS: TM ROAD, THIPPESWAMY LAYOUT, SHANTHINAGARA, BHADRAWATHI, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 115. 2. SRI. DILIP L NAIK, S/O SRI LAKSHMAN NAIK, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KARNATAKA FOREST ACADEMY TRAINING INSTITUTE, GUNGARAGATTI, DHARWAD DISTRICT, C/O NO. 1/856, KHB COLONY, TOWN SHIP, UK DISTRICT. 3. SRI R J GONSALVIS, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SOCIAL RANGE FOREST OFFICE, CHIKKAMANGALRU DISTRICT CHIKKAMANGALURU - 577 101. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NAGARAJA A.C., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. C M NAGABUSHANA.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, ARANYA BHAVANA, 18TH CROSS,MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 001. - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 3. THE CHIERF CONVERSVATOR OF FOREST CHIKKAMANGALURU CIRCLE, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 4. SRI RANJITH MK, S/O. KALLANAGOUDA, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. C/O SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 5. SRI. S.R. SANTHOSH KUMAR, S/O RANGANATH, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER CUM SURVEYOR, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KADUR, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 6. SRI. RANJIT KUMAR N L, S/O LOKESHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER CUM SUVEYOR, C/O. FOREST SETTLE OFFICE, KADUR, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 7. SRI. ASHWATH KUMAR K.A., S/O K GOUDA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, FOREST MOBILE SQUAD. - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101, C/O. FOREST MOBILE SQUAD, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 8. SRI. SUNIL B.M., S/O MANJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE, TANIGEBYLE, BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129, R/AT BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129. 9. SRI. SHANKARAGOUDA B MUDIGOUDAR, S/O B. MUDIGOUDAR, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. C/O, RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. 10. SRI. NARENDRANATH A KADAM, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE, VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363, C/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 362. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. S.H. RAGHAVENDRA, AGA FOR R1 AND R3, SRI. B.O. ANIL KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR C/R5, R6 & R9) - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO CALL FOR RECORDS AND ISSUE THE WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED:13.10.2023 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE KSAT VIDE ANNEXURE-A IN A.No- 1173-1178/2022 AND ETC., IN WP NO. 25452/2023 BETWEEN: 1. SRI.R.S. SAVANT, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SURVEY UNIT, SHIVAMOGGA DIVISION, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT, C/O SURVEY UNIT, SHIVAMOGGA DIVISION, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 201. 2. SRI. D.H. CHALAVADI, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SURVEY UNIT, HALIYAL DIVISION, KARWAR DISTRICT, C/O SURVEY UNIT, HALIYAL DIVISION, KARAWAR DISTRICT - 581 329. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NAGARJUN A.C., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. C.M. NAGABHUSHAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, M.S. BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001. - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST ARANYA BHAVANA, 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 001. 3. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHIKKAMANGLURU CIRCLE, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR, CHIKKAMNGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 4. SRI RANJITH MK, S/O. KALLANAGOUDA, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. C/O SOCIAL FOREST, KADUR RANGE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 5. SRI. S.R. SANTHOSH KUMAR, S/O RANGANATH, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER CUM SURVEYOR, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548, C/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KADUR, KM ROAD, KADUR, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. 6. SRI. RANJIT KUMAR N L, S/O LOKESHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER CUM SUVEYOR, C/O. FOREST SETTLE OFFICE, KADUR, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 548. - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 7. SRI. ASHWATH KUMAR K.A., S/O K GOUDA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, FOREST MOBILE SQUAD. CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101, C/O. FOREST MOBILE SQUAD, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101. 8. SRI. SUNIL B.M., S/O MANJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE, TANIGEBYLE, BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129, R/AT BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 129. 9. SRI. SHANKARAGOUDA B MUDIGOUDAR, S/O B. MUDIGOUDAR, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O. RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. C/O, RANGE FOREST OFFICE, JOIDA, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363. 10. SRI. NARENDRANATH A KADAM, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CUM SURVEYOR, O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE, VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 363, C/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE VIRNOLI, KARWAR DISTRICT - 581 362. - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 11. SRI H G RAMANAYAK, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KFDC OFFICE, CHIKKAMANGALURU, CHIKKAMANGALURU - 577 101. C/O KFDC OFFICE, CHIKKAMANGALURU. 12. SRI. BG MANOHAR NAYAK, S./O B GANGA NAIK, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, RETIRED RANGE FOREST OFFICER, GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT, PERMANENT ADDRESS TM ROAD, THIPPESWAMY LAYOUT, SHANTHINAGARA, BHADRAWATHI, SHIVAMOGGA - 577 115. 13. SRI LB DESHANOOR, MAJOR, WORKING AS DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, BELGAVI SURVEY UNIT, BELAGAVI DISTRICT, C/O CCF OFFICE, BELGAVI - 590 001. 14. SRI. RJ GONSALVIS MAJOR, WORKING AS RANGE FOREST OFFICER, SOCIAL RANGE FOREST OFFICE, CHIKKAMANGALURU DISTRICT, C/O SOCIAL RANGE FOREST OFFICE, CHIKKAMANGALURU - 577 101. 15. SRI. DILIP L NAIK, S/O SRI LAKSHMAN NAIK, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 RANGE FOREST OFFICER, KARNATAKA FOREST ACADEMY TRAINING INSTITUTE, GUNGARAGATTI, DHARWAD DISTRICT, C/O NO 1/856, KHB COLONY, TOWN SHIP, UK DISTRICT. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. S.H. RAGHAVENDRA, AGA FOR R1 TO R3, SRI. B.O. ANIL KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R4 TO R10) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO CALL FOR RECORDS ISSUE THE WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED:13.10.2023 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE KARNATAKA STATE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL VIDE ANNEXURE-A IN APPLICATION No.1173- 1178/2022 AND ETC., THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D K SINGH) Heard, Sri.Sachin B.S, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Sri. S.H.Raghavendra, learned Additional Government Advocate for respondent Nos.1 to 3. - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 2. The present writ petitions have been filed impugning the judgment and order dated 13.10.2023 passed by the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal, Bengaluru in application Nos.1172 to 1178/2022, filed by the private respondents challenging the promotion order dated 02.02.2022, in respect of the appellants and others. 3. The promotion order was issued on 02.09.2022, as per the seniority list dated 29.08.2020, which stood quashed vide Tribunal's order dated 02.09.2021. Now the seniority list has been upheld by this Court on 24.06.2025 in WP.No.9096/2022 and against the said judgment and order passed by this Court, the Supreme Court has dismissed the SLP. Thus, the seniority list dated 29.08.2020 has attained finality. Now there is no dispute regarding the seniority list. 4. In view of the fact of seniority list attaining the finality, we direct the State to undertake the exercise of making promotion, as per the seniority list dated - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010369912024 NC: 2026:KHC:41525-DB WP No. 17272 of 2024 C/W WP No. 24882 of 2023 WP No. 25452 of 2023 29.08.2020, from the post of Deputy Range Forest Officer cum surveyors to the post of Range Officer in the Forest Department, in accordance with the relevant promotional rules. This exercise should be completed within period of two months from today. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the present writ petitions stand disposed of. In view of the disposal of the appeal, pending IAs, if any, do not survive for consideration and the same also stand disposed of. Sd/- (D K SINGH) JUDGE Sd/- (T.M.NADAF) JUDGE PK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 8 ct-vn