- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:556 WP No. 24944 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 24944 OF 2025 (LB-RES) BETWEEN: MURTHY A.Y S/O YALAKKI GOWDA, CLASS I CONTRACTOR AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, HEGGADEHALLI VILLAGE, KODIGE POST, KUSHAL NAGAR TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT - 571 232. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. LETHIF B, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001 REP. BY ITS ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY. 2. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF PANCHAYATH RAJ, M.S.BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER KODAGU DISTRICT, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:556 WP No. 24944 of 2025 MADIKERI - 571 201. 4. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PANCHAYATH RAJ DEPARTMENT, PANCHAYATH RAJ, ENGINEERING DIVISION, MADIKERI, KODAGU DISTRICT - 571 201. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. BOPPANNA BERIYAPPA, AGA FOR R1 TO R3; SRI. ACHAPPA P.B, ADVOCATE FOR R4) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE RECORDS.DIRECT THE R-3 AND 4 TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION AT ANNX-G DTD. 14.05.2025 BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT TO RELEASE THE ENTIRE BILL AMOUNT IN FAVOUR OF THE PETITIONER FORTHWITH IN THE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. 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. Sri. Achappa P.B., learned counsel is directed to accept notice for respondent No.4. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:556 WP No. 24944 of 2025 3. Petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: (a) Call for the records. (b) Issue Writ of mandamus directing the respondent No.3 and 4 to consider the representation at Annexure-dated: 14.05.2025 by directing the respondent to release the entire bill amount in favor of the petitioner forthwith in the in the interest of justice and equity. (c) Pass such other order/s as this Hon'ble Court deems fit, in the facts and circumstances of the case. 4. The grievance of the petitioner is that despite the petitioner having completed certain of the works awarded to the petitioner in furtherance of a work order. The petitioner having raised invoices/bills, the same have not been paid to the petitioner. 5. Whenever any, bills are submitted by a contractor to an employer/authority, it is required for the authority to consider the said bills and pass necessary orders on the same, either by accepting or rejecting the demand made by the said bills. 6. Needless to say, while passing such orders, the orders should be in consonance with the work orders/contract which has been executed in favour of the contractor. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:556 WP No. 24944 of 2025 7. In the present case neither of them having done, I pass the following: ORDER i) Writ petition is allowed. ii) A mandamus is issued. Respondent No.4 is directed to consider the bill submitted by the petitioner in terms of the work orders/contract executed between the petitioner and respondent No.4 and pass necessary orders within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. iii) It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the entitlement of the petitioner towards any amounts. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE GJM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 19