- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 28829 OF 2025 (S-RES) C/W WRIT PETITION NO. 16602 OF 2025 (S-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 28603 OF 2025 (S-RES) IN WP NO. 28829/2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI. M M POOVAIAH S/O M T MEDAPPA AGE ABOUT 54 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS DRIVER O/O DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST FOREST MOBILE SQUAD MADIKERE, MADIKERE TALUK KODAGU DISTRICT-571201. 2. SMT MARIYAMMA D/O THIMMAIAH AGE ABOUT 42 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER D GROUP (NURSERY) O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE NELAMANGALA RANGE BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT-562123. 3. SRI HARISH B L S/O LAKSHME GOWDA AGE ABOUT 47 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS OFFICE LITERATE ASSISTANT Digitally signed by MALATHI CHALUVA IYENGAR Location: HIGH COURTOF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 O/O RANGE FOREST OFFICE K R PET RANGE (TERRITORIAL) MANDYA DISTRICT-571426. 4. SRI S RAMESH S/O LATE SHIVARAMAIAH AGE ABOUT 55 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS OFFICE LITERATE ASSISTANT RANGE FOREST OFFICE PANDAVAPURA RANGE (TERRITORIAL) MANDYA DISTRICT-571426. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. BASAVARAJ PATEL G K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FORES, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT MS BUILDING, BENGALURU-560001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (HEAD OF THE FOREST FORCE) ARANYA BHAVANA, 3RD FLOOR 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM BENGALURU-560003. 3. THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION REFORMS VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU 560001. 4. THE DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS MADIKERE, KODAGU DISTRICT-571201. 5. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICE NELAMANGALA RANGE BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT-562123. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 6. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER K R PET RANGE (TERRITORIAL) MANDYA DISTRICT-571426. 7. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER PANDAVAPURA RANGE(TERRITORIAL) MANDYA DISTRICT-571426. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.SPOORTHY HEGDE N, HCGP FOR R1 TO R7) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS TO CONSIDER THE CLAIM OF THE PETITIONERS FOR THE SERVICE BENEFITS IN TERMS OF THE KARNATAKA DAILY WAGE EMPLOYEES WELFARE ACT 2012 VIDE ANNEXURE-D, BY HOLDING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS UNDER THE SAID ACT FOR THE LONG SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PETITIONERS WITH ALL MONETARY BENEFITS AND ETC. IN WP NO. 16602/2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI HANUMANTHAPPA S/O HANUMANAVVA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER D GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR EREGUDDA, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 2. SRI HALASWAMY S/O KOLI KATAPPA AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR ANABURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 3. SRI HANUMANTHAPPA S/O. LATE DODDA RANGAPPA AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR WILDLIFE GODE, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 4. SRI.K.G.HEMANNA S/O. GONIBASAPPA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION, KYASANAHALLI BEAT JAGALUR TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 5. SRI.AJJAPPA. V., S/O. VEERANNA AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR NURSERY ANABURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 6. SRI. NAGARAJA S/O. NAGAPPA AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR WILDLIFE AGASANAHALLI, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577513. 7. SRI GUDDAPPA S/O MALLAPPA AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION, ANABURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 8. SRI NAGARAJA M.B., S/O BHEEMAPPA. H AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR WILD LIFE RANGAYYANADURGA JAGALUR TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 9. SRI HANUMANTHAPPA S/O. KATAPPA AGED ABOUT 48 YEAR PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR WILDLIFE MAGADI, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 10. SRI.MANJANNA.S.R., S/O. RANGAPPA AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION, ANABURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 11. SRI.GURANNA S/O. K.PALAYYA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION KYASANAHALLI, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 12. SRI.MAHANTESH S/O. PARASAPPA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION JAGALURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 13. SRI HONNUR SAB S/O SUBHANA BAB AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER D GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION KYASANAHALLI, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 14. SRI MANJUNATHA S/O. MAYAPPA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR WILDLIFE RANGAYANADURGA JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 15. SRI. DEVANAIAK S/O. LAKSHMANANAIK AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION KYASANAHALLI JAGALUR TALUK, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 16. SRI. HANUMANTHAPPA S/O. PALAPPA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION KYASANAHALLI, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. 17. SRI.GURAPPA S/O SANNA HANUMAYYA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALUR PLANTATION ANABURU, JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577517. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. BASAVARAJ PATEL G K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FOREST ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (HEAD OF THE FOREST FORCE) ARANYA BHAVANA 3RD FLOOR, 18TH CROSS MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU -560003. 3. THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION REFORMS VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU -560001. 4. THE DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST DAVANAGARE DIVISION DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577513. 5. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER JAGALUR TALUK DAVANAGERE DISTRICT-577513 ...RESPONDENTS - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 (BY SRI.SPOORTHY HEGDE N, HCGP. FOR R1 TO R5) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS TO CONSIDER THE CLAIM OF THE PETITIONERS FOR THE SERVICE BENEFITS IN TERMS OF THE KARNATAKA DAILY WAGE EMPLOYEES WELFARE ACT 2012 VIDE ANNEXURE-D, BY HOLDING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS UNDER THE SAID ACT FOR THE LONG SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PETITIONERS WITH ALL MONETARY BENEFITS AND ETC. IN WP NO. 28603/2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI. BASAVEGOWDA S/O. PUTTAMADAGOWDA AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE GREEN URBAN RANGE MYSURU- 570008. 2. SRI BHASKARA SHETTY S/O.THIMAPPA SHETTY AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE SOMESHWAR WILD LIFE, HEBRI UDUPI DISTRICT -576112. 3. SRI. PRABHAKAR SHETTIGAR S/O. MANJUNATH SHETTIGAR AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS FOREST WATCHER 'D' GROUP RANGE FOREST OFFICE AGUMBE WILD LIFE RANGE AMASEBAILU, UDUPI DISTRICT-576227. - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 4. SMT. RAMEEJABHI. M W/O. LATE DADAPEER AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS PRESENTLY WORKING AS ATTENDER, RANGE FOREST OFFICE JAGALURU TERRITORIAL RANGE DAVANAGERE DISTRICT – 577513. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. BASAVARAJ PATEL G K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FOREST, ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (HEAD OF THE FOREST FORCE) ARANYA BHAVANA 3RD FLOOR 18TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM BENGALURU-560003. 3. THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION REFORMS VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU-560001. 4. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER GREEN URBAN RANGE MYSURU-570008. 5. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER SOMESHWAR WILD LIFE, HEBRI UDUPI DISTRICT -576112. - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 6. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER AGUMBE WILD LIFE RANGE AMASEBAILU, UDUPI DISTRICT -576227. 7. THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER JAGALURU TERRITORIAL RANGE DAVANAGERE DISTRICT – 577513. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.SPOORTHY HEGDE N. HCGP FOR R1 & R7) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO PAY THE MONTHLY PAYMENT OF RS.1,000/- FROM 2009 AND RS. 2000/- FROM 2012 AS PER THE GOVERNMENT ORDERS DATED: 11.06.2009 AND 31.07.2012 VIDE ANNEXURE-B AND C PASSED BY THE R-2 / DPAR BY HOLDING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS UNDER THE SAID G.O ORDERS FOR THE LONG SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PETITIONERS WITH ALL MONETARY BENEFITS AND ETC. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN ‘B’ GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD ORAL ORDER These writ petitions are filed under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India, seeking the following reliefs: “In W.P.Nos.28829/2025 & 16602/2025: i) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus to consider the claim of the petitioners for the service benefits in terms of the Karnataka Daily Wage Employees Welfare Act, 2012 vide Annexure-D, by holding them eligible for the benefits under the said Act - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 for the long services rendered by the petitioners with all monetary benefits. ii) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus to direct the respondents to pay the monthly payment of Rs.1,000/- from 2009 and Rs.2000/- from 2012 as per the Government Orders dated 11.06.2009 and 31.07.2012 vide Annexures B and C passed by the 3rd respondent/DPAR.” In W.P.No.28603/2025: i) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus to direct the respondents to pay the monthly payment of Rs.1,000/- from 2009 and Rs.2000/- from 2012 as per the Government Orders dated 11.06.2009 and 31.07.2012 vide Annexures B and C passed by the 3rd respondent/DPAR by holding them eligible for the benefits under the said G.O. for the long services rendered by the petitioners with all monetary benefits.” 2. The case of the petitioners is that they were appointed as forest watchers, drivers and literate office assistants in the respondent – Department. They have been appointed between 1989 and 1995 and they have completed ten years of service. Therefore, they sought for considering their claims under the Daily Wage Employees Welfare Act, 2012. - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6214 WP No. 28829 of 2025 C/W WP No. 16602 of 2025 WP No. 28603 of 2025 3. The learned HCGP appearing for the respondents submits that the petitioners were not appointed as daily wage employees, therefore, their case cannot be considered. 4. In view of the above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petitioners are permitted to file detailed representations enclosing all the documents to establish their case as daily wage employees to respondent Nos. 1 and 2 within four weeks from today. If such representations are submitted, respondent Nos. 1 and 2 are directed to consider the same, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, not later than three months from the date of receipt the representations. 5. With the above observations, the writ petitions stand disposed of. Sd/- (H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE CM LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 55