- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010330412023 NC: 2026:KHC:51042-DB WP No. 14307 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 14307 OF 2023 (GM-MM-S) BETWEEN: 1. SMT. R MANJULA W/O T. SRINIVAS AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS R/O K.G. SRINIVASAPUR VILLAGE SOMPURA HOBLI NELAMANGALA TALUK BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 562 111 …PETITIONER (BY SRI RAMESH K.R., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY VIDHANA SOUDHA DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDI BENGALURU - 560 001 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BEERASANDRA, DEVANAHALLI TALUK BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 562 110 Digitally signed by VEERENDRA KUMAR K M Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010330412023 NC: 2026:KHC:51042-DB WP No. 14307 of 2023 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY 2ND FLOOR, ROOM NO.219 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BEERASANDRA, DEVANAHALLI TALUK BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 562 110 4. THE TAHSILDAR NELAMANGALA TALUK NELAMANGALA BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 562 111 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER OR DIRECTION, QUASHING THE IMPUGNED ENDORSEMENT DATED 05.01.2023 BEARING No.GaBhuE/Unika/BenGraJi/ Himbaraha/2022-23/4297 WHICH IS AT ANNEXURE-E ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT & ETC. 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 MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, impugning an endorsement dated 05.01.2023 issued by respondent No.3, whereby the representation of the petitioner for - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010330412023 NC: 2026:KHC:51042-DB WP No. 14307 of 2023 grant of quarrying lease for extraction of granite over an extent of 6 acres of government Gomal land falling in Sy.No.79 of Kengal village, Sompura Hobli, Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District, had been rejected. 2. The learned Additional Government Advocate submits that the petitioner's request for grant of quarrying lease, was made after the introduction of Chapter IV-A in the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules [KMMC Rules], where under the said Chapter, all mining rights are required to be disposed of by way of auction and therefore there is no scope for entertaining the petitioner's application. 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner states that the petitioner seeks parity with other persons who have been granted quarrying leases without a public auction. However, he is unable to point out any instance where a quarrying lease has been granted after the introduction of Chapter IV-A to KMMC Rules. 4. In view of the above, the present petition is dismissed. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010330412023 NC: 2026:KHC:51042-DB WP No. 14307 of 2023 5. We, however, clarify that in the event the petitioner ascertains that any quarrying leases have been granted without an auction after the introduction of Chapter IV-A of KMMC Rules, the petitioner would be at liberty to approach the competent authority with an appropriate application. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (K.S. HEMALEKHA) JUDGE KMV List No.1: Sl.No.:2