- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010013212020 NC: 2026:KHC:54285 WP No. 24017 of 2021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA WRIT PETITION NO. 24017 OF 2021 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: MINERAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 1956 AND HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT KHANIJA BHAVAN 3RD FLOOR WEST WING NO.49 RACE COURSE ROAD BANGALORE - 560 001 REPRESENTED HEREIN BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY MR M S SRINIVAS RAGHAVAN …PETITIONER (BY SRI. ADITYA NARAYAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH RANGE FOREST OFFICER B DURGA SECTION HOLALKERE RANGE FOREST HOLAKERE CHITRADURGA DISTRICT - 577 526 2. DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST CHITRADURGA DIVISION CHITRADURGA - 577 501 Digitally signed by ASHWINI MAYAPPA MAVARAKAR Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010013212020 NC: 2026:KHC:54285 WP No. 24017 of 2021 3. OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (ELECTRICITY) KPTCL CHITRADURGA DIVISION - 577 501 4. OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (ELECTRICITY) BESCOM CHITRADURGA DIVISION - 577 501 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1 TO R3 SRI. C. MURALIDHARA, ADVOCATE FOR R4) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., 1978 PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR DATED 03.04.2014 BEARING O.69714 ISSUED IN PURSUANCE TO FOC NO.01/14- 15 ISSUED BY R-1 VIDE ANNEXURE-A ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA ORAL ORDER 1. Learned High Court Government Pleader accepts notice for respondents No.2 and 3. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010013212020 NC: 2026:KHC:54285 WP No. 24017 of 2021 2. Present writ petition is filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure with the following prayer: a. quash the FIR dated 03.04.2014 bearing No.69714 issued in pursuance to FOC No.01/14-15 issued by respondent No.1 vide Annexure 'A'; b. Direct and restrain the respondents from taking any action against the petitioner for alleged violations of forest laws in installation of electric lines pursuant to in FIR No.69714 and FOC No.01/2014-15. c. Grant costs of these proceedings in favour of the petitioner d. Pass such other or further orders as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice and equity. 3. The main plank on which the petition relief is sought for is the registration of the FIR by an unauthorised person. 4. According to the counsel for petitioner, it is the Range of person who is required to register the case and not the DRFO. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010013212020 NC: 2026:KHC:54285 WP No. 24017 of 2021 5. In this regard, learned High Court Government Pleader is unable to place on record any notification or authorization for the DRFO to file the case. 6. Hence, following Order : ORDER (i) Writ Petition is allowed. (ii) Pending criminal proceedings in FIR dated 03.04.2014 bearing No.69714 issued in pursuance to FOC No.01/14-15 issued by respondent No.1 vide Annexure 'A' is hereby quashed. (iii) However, it would not preclude the prosecuting agency to file appropriate complaint in accordance with law. Sd/- (V SRISHANANDA) JUDGE SNC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 10