- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO.2825 OF 2026 (GM-PDS) BETWEEN: THE MILK PRODUCERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY KYADIGUNTE VILLAGE SIDDESWARANA DURGA POST PARUSHARAMPURA HOBLI CHALLAKERE TALUK CHITRADURGA DISTRICT- 577538 REP BY ITS SECRETARY SRI.PRASHANTHA D …PETITIONER (BY SRI.PUTTARAJA C P, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES GROUND FLOOR VIKAS SOUDHA BENGALURU - 560 001 2. THE JOINT DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES CHITRA DURGA DISTRICT CHITRA DURGA - 577501 Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 3. THE THASILDAR CHALLAKERE TALUK CHALLKERE CHITRADURGA DISTRICT - 577538 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.AMARAVATHY H.R, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.2 AND NO.3 TO CONSIDER FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSE TO RUN THE FAIR PRICE DEPO AS ANNEXURE- F AND G, FILED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE PETITIONER SOCIETY DATED 03.11.2025 AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The captioned writ petition is filed seeking a direction against respondent Nos.2 and 3 to issue a license to run Fair Shop Depot. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned AGA. Perused the records. 3. Respondent No.2 invited applications pursuant to Government Order No.FPS/17/RPR2011(1), Bangalore - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 dated 10.06.2016, as amended on 21.05.2018, for grant of authorization to run a Fair Price Shop at Kyadigunte Village, Parashurampura Hobli, Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga District. The petitioner, along with five other applicants, submitted applications in response to the said notification. 4. Upon consideration and screening of the applications, the competent Authority initially granted authorization in favour of the petitioner. However, the said authorization came to be cancelled subsequently, which constrained the petitioner to approach this Court in W.P.No.9029/2025. This Court, having found that the cancellation was in gross violation of the principles of natural justice, set aside the said order and directed the Authorities to reconsider the matter with reference to priority and pass appropriate orders. 5. The grievance of the petitioner in the present petition is that, though pursuant to the order of this Court - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 (Annexure-E), the Authorities have once again issued authorization in favour of the petitioner, the consequential license has not been issued till date. It is contended that despite the matter attaining finality, respondent No.2 has failed to complete the process by issuing the license, thereby compelling the petitioner to once again approach this Court. 6. Learned Additional Government Advocate, on instructions, fairly submits that the authorization has already been issued in favour of the petitioner and that the license would be issued in due course. The said submission is placed on record. 7. This Court is of the considered view that once authorization is granted, the Authorities are under a statutory obligation to complete the process by issuing the license within a reasonable time. Any inaction or delay on the part of the Authorities, particularly after issuance of - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 authorization and in the face of a prior order of this Court, cannot be countenanced. 8. It is trite that statutory authorities entrusted with public duties are expected to act with promptitude and diligence. Any display of administrative lethargy or inaction defeats the very purpose of welfare schemes and compels citizens to approach this Court seeking a writ of mandamus. Such an approach is impermissible. 9. In the present case on hand, the petitioner is before this Court for the second time. Despite a clear direction issued by this Court in the earlier round of litigation, respondent No.2 has failed to carry the matter to its logical conclusion by issuing the license. This continued inaction reflects a lack of administrative responsibility and is wholly unjustified. 10. This Court is therefore constrained to observe that such repeated lapses on the part of the Authorities compel litigants to engage in avoidable rounds of - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17256 WP No. 2825 of 2026 litigation, resulting in wastage of judicial time and undue hardship to the parties. Authorities are expected to act in aid of judicial orders and not render them otiose by adopting a lackadaisical approach. ORDER (i) The writ petition is allowed. (ii) Respondent No.2 is directed to forthwith issue the license to the petitioner to run the Fair Price Shop at Kyadigunte Village, in terms of the authorization already granted as per Annexures-F and G. (iii) The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. (iv) It is made clear that any further delay or non-compliance shall be viewed seriously. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE NBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 5