- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 1190 OF 2026 (GM-RES) C/W WRIT PETITION NO. 31956 OF 2025 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 34040 OF 2025 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 36589 OF 2025 (GM-FOR) WRIT PETITION NO. 8003 OF 2026 (GM-FOR) IN WP No. 1190/2026 BETWEEN: 1. SRI SRINIVASA S AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, S/O LATE SHIVASHAKARCHARI RETD. GUARD, R/AT SHETHAHALLI VILLAGE KURAHATTI HOBLI, AND POST, HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJNAGARA DISTRICT- 571313 2. SMT. MAHADEVAVAMMA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, RETIRED GUARD W/O NAGENDRAPPA R/AT NO.2, 1ST CROSS, 1ST STAGE, BELAVATHA -RAJENDRA NAGAR (KESARE) MYSURU DISTRICT-570007 Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 3. SRI. K.S. MAHADEVAPPA, AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, RETD FOREST, S/O LATE SHIVABASAPPA R/AT KOTHALAVADI VILLAGE AND POST HARAVE HOBLI, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRICT- 571313 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 4. SRI. C. PRABHU SWAMY, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, RETD WATCHER S/O. LATE CHANNANJAPPA, R/AT AATTAGULIPURA VILLAGE AND POST VILLAGE CHANDAKAVALI HOBLI CHAMARAJA NAGARA TQ, DISTRICT- 571313 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 5. SMT. TRIVENI. H. AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, S/O LATE HONAIAH, RETIRED FOREST GUARD R/AT, PALAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST, BELAGOLA HOBLI, SRIRANAGAPATANA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT-571438 6. SRI. KONEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS RETIRED WATCHER S/O JAVAREGOWDA R/AT. RAMAPURA, VILLAGE AND POST, HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT-571444 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 7. SMT PUTTAMMA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS W/O LATE MUNIYA (WATCHER) R/AT. RAMAPURA VILLAGE AND POST - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT-571444 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 8. SMT. LAKSHAMAMMA, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, W/O SUBRAMANYA, RETD. WATCHER R/AT. L.P.S. PROJECT, KURAHATTI HOSUR VILLAGE AND POST, KOLLEGAL TALUK, CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT -571313 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 9. SRI. K.G.UMESH, AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS, RTD D.C.F. S/O LATE, K.P. GOWRAIAH, R/AT. ANNAPURNA, 5TH CROSS SRIRANGA SCHOOL ROAD, MAHALAKSHMINAGAR, 2ND PHASE, BATAWADI EXTENSION TUMAKUR-572103. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). 10. SRI. BEDEGOWDA RTD WATCHER, AND AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS S/O KUMBEGOWDA, R/AT RANGASANDRA, MUKANAPALYA POST, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRICT-571313, (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED). …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. B S NAGARAJ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 3. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, (CHIEF OF FOREST FORCE), ARANYA BHAVAN, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003 4. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TIGER BLOCK PROJECT, MYSORE - 570001 5. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHAMRAJANAGARA CIRCLE, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRICT - 571313 6. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE M.S.BUILDING, DR, AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO I. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER, QUASHING THE ORDER DATED, 17.08.2015, PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2, ADDL. SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT MADE IN REF NO. REF. NO. APASE 113 APASE 2007, COPY SUBMITTED AT - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS ANNEXURE- B., IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERN. II. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AND 2 TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RELEASE THE REWARD AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE PETITIONERS AS PER RESOLUTION AND ORDER DATED 08.07.2005, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE- D AND LIST PREPARED BY THE RESPONDENT NO 1 AND 2, AS PER ORDER DATED, 14.08.2024, PASSED OF THIS HON'BLE COURT PASSED IN W.P.NO.10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO.50155/2015, AND W.P.NO.31605/ 2024, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-E, WHO ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED TO THE PETITIONERS. COPIES SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1, AND III. PASS SIMILAR ORDER DATED 14.08.2024, PASSED IN W.P. NO.10982/2018 C/WW.P. NO. 50150/2015, AND ORDER DATED. 20.12.2024. PASSED IN W.P.NO.31605/2024 AS THE PETITIONERS ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED. THE TRUE COPY OF THE SAID ORDER IS SUBMITTED HEREWITH AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. IN WP NO. 31956/2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI B PRABHUSWAMY (RETD DRIVER) AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS S/O LATE BASAPPA R/AT, NO.2526, ASHRAYA BADAVANE, BEHIND K.S.R.T.C. BUS DEPOT KOLLEGAL-571440 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 2. SRI. IRUDINATHAN, (RETD AS FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS S/O LATE SWAMYNATHAN R/AT, NO.297-ASHRAYA BADAVANE, LIONS SCHOOL ROAD, KOLLEGAL -571440 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS 3. SMT. SIDDAMMA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS W/O LATE S. NANJAIAH (FORESTER) R/AT, MULLUR, VILLAGE AND POST, KOLLEGAL TALUK-571440 4. SRI. S. BASAVARAJU (RETD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS S/O LATE SHIVARALA R/AT DOOR. NO.4/147, STONE-WELL STREET, BHIMANAGARA KOLLEGAL TOWN-571440 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 5. SRI. S. KRISHNAMACHAR(DRIVER) AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS S/O LATE SUNRAJA IYENGAR R/AT, ASHWINI LAYOUT DARA-BENDRE NAGAR GUNDULIPETE-571111 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 6. SMT. KALAMMA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS W/O LATE CHIKKA MALLA (WATCHER) R/AT, PUNAJANOOR VILLAGE AND POST, CHAMARAJANAGAR TALUK AND DISTRICT-571127 7. SRI. H.RAMA, (RTD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS S/O LATE HUTCHAIAH R/AT, SIDDAIANAPURA VILLAGE AND POST, KOLLEGAL-571440 8. SRI. K. VASUDEVA MURTHY (RTD. A.C.F) AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS S/O LATE B. KEMPAIAIH - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS R/AT, NO.403, AKASHA NILAYA, 5TH CROSS, 4TH MAIN, SARASAWATHI PURAM, MYSURU-570009 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 9. SRI. L. MALLASHETTY, (RTD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 73 YEARS S/O LATE LINGASHETTY R/AT, NO.569, T.N.PURA MAIN ROAD, GIRIDARAHINI LAYOUT, ALNAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST, MYSURU-570028 10. SRI. M. MAHADEVA, (RTD.D.R.F) AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS S/O LATE MADAIAH R/AT, NO.172, BEHIND RAJASHEKARA, RAGI MILL STREET, ALNAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST, NADANAHALLI VILLAGE, MYSURU TALUK-570028. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 11. SRI. V. MANJUNATHA, (RTD.D.R.F) AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS S/O LATE VENKATARAMAIAH R/AT, NO.003, NANDANA VAN EVER JOY, DWARAKA NAGAR, 7TH CROSS, CHANNSANDARA, KENGERI MAIN ROAD, UTTARAHALLY, BENGALURU-560098 SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 12. SRI. H. DEVARAJAPPA (RETD. GUARD) AGED ABOUT 81 YEARS S/O LATE HONNAIAH R/AT, DOOR NO.2, GIRIDARSHINI LAYOUT, ALNAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST, MYSURU- 570028 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 13. SRI. KANAKARAJU, (RETD. FORESTER) - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS S/O LATE C. JOHAN R/AT, NO.448, S.C. STREET, BASTIPURA VILLAGE KOLLEGAL TOWN-571440 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 14. SRI. M.S. MAHADEVAPPA (GUARD) AGED ABOUT 74 YEARS S/O LATE SIDDAIAH R/AT, NO.152, NEAR AMBEDKAR BHAVAN, MADDUR VILLAGE YELANDUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 15. SRI. B. MALLARAJU, (RETD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS S/O LATE BASAVAIAH R/AT, MALLA HALLY VILLAGE, MALA-ALAHALLY POST KOLLEGAL TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED ) 16. SRI. M. BASAVARAJU, (RETD. DRIVER) AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS S/O LATE MALLAIAH R/AT, NO.10/270, KARINANJANAPURA HOSA BADAVANE, KASABA HOBLI, CHAMARAJA NAGAR TOWN-571313 SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 17. SRI. SIDDALINGA (WATCHER) AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS S/O CHIKKAVEERAIAH R/AT, KONANAKERE VILLAGE, VODAKEHALLY POST, HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 18. SRI. MAHADEVA, (WATCHER) AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS S/O LATE VAYYAPURI R/AT, JANATHA COLONY, PUDUR VILLAGE, - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439. (NOW WORKING IN KOUDAHALLY VILLAGE) 19. SRI. SHIVALINGALAH.L (RETD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 73 YEARS S/O LATE LINGAIAH R/AT SHIVANAHALLY VILLAGE POST, KANAKAPURA TQ, BENGALURU SOUTH DISRICT-562117. CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 20. SRI. M. MADAIAH AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS S/O LATE LINGAIAH R/AT, SATHYAGALA HAND POST, SATHYAGALA POST, KOLLEGAL TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED ) 21. SRI. S.B. BASAVARAJU, (RETD. R.F.O) S/O LATE BASAVALAH AGED ABOUT 74 YEARS R/AT, NO.200, B BLOCK, SRINAGAR BADVANE SRINAGAR, MYSURU-570031 SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 22. SRI. K. NANJAPPA, (RETD. GUARD) AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS S/O LATE KALAPPA R/AT, NO.5, UTTANAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST, VARUNA HOBLI, MYSURU TALUK DISRICT-570010, SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 23. SRI. H.T.MOHAN KUMAR, (RETD. A.C.F) AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS S/O LATE T. THIMMMALAH R/AT, NO.471, BEHIND B.D.O. OFFICE, MANDYA -MANDYA-571401 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED ) - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS 24. SRI. JANARADANA, (RETD, DRIVER) AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS S/O LATE RAMANNAGOWDA R/AT, NO.1330, HANUMANTHA NAGAR METIGUPPE ROAD, H.D.KOTE TOWN-571114 MYSURU DISTRICT. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 25. SMT. MEENA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS W/O LATE GIRI GOWDA, (2ND DIVISION ASSISTANT) R/AT, NO.368, 2ND WARD, ASWINI BADAVANE BEHIND SURABHI HOTEL GUNDALPETE-571111 26. SRL. K. SURENDRA, (RETD. D.R.F) AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS S/O R. KRISHNASWAMY R/AT, NO.5/89, KODANDASWAMYPURAM, UDUMALAL ROAD- POLLACHI-643003 COIMBATORE DISTRICT SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 27. SRI. G. RAJAGOPAL, (RETD. D.R.F.O) AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS S/O LATE P. GOPALKRISHNA NAIR R/AT, NO.502, 5TH FLOOR, PRINCE APARTMENT NEAR AYAPPASWAMY TEMPLE -JALAHALLI BENGALURU,-560059 SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 28. SRI. MUTTUSWAMY, (RETD. GUARD) AGED ABOUT 84 YEARS S/O LATE AARDANARIGOWDA R/AT, HOSA SITE, LOKKANAHALLY VILLAGE AND POST HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS 29. SRI. PUTTA (RETD. WATCHER) AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS S/O HUTCHAIAH THAMMADI R/AT. MAHADESWARA BETTA & POST HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 30. SRI K. PRASAD (DRFO) AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS S/O S. KRISHNA SHETTY R/AT GEJJALANATHA VITAGE RAMPURA POST HOBILI HANNUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571439 31. SRI. K. GOVINDA RAJU (RETD DRFO) AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS S/O H.M.KALEGOWDA NO.154, OLD KURUBARA STREET KOLLEGAL TOWN CHAMARAJANAGAR DISRICT-571440. SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 32. SRI. RAVALAPPA (RETD WATCHER) AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS S/O KEMPALINGA RAVALI NAIKA STREET, KOUDALALLY VILLAGE & POST RAMAPURA HOBLI, HANNUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DISRICT-571444 33. SRI. M. MAHADEVA (RETD DRFO) AGED ABOUT 74 YEARS S/O MANEYA. R/AT. 8191, AMBEDKAR NAGAR 18TH WARD HANNUR TOWN CHAMARAJANAGARA DISRICT-571439 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 34. SRI NANGUNDAIAH (RETD ACF) AGED ABOUT 63 - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS RAT. NO.80, KURISIDDANA HUNDI STREET VADATHORE VILLAGE KASABA HOBL GARGESWARI VILLAGE AND POST T. NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSURU DIST-571110 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 35. SRT. SYED DASTAGIR (RETD. FORESTER) AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS S/O ABDUL MAJEED SAB R/AT. 115, 7TH A CROSS, MOHAN KUMAR NAGAR YESHWANTHPURA BENGALURU NORTH 560022. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 36. SRL. N.M. ANKARAJU (RETD ACF) AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS S/O MADAIAH R/AT. NO.25/7, H.R.MANSION. 6TH CROSS, 7TH MAIN, PIPLINE ROAD NEAR J.P.PARK, VIJAYANAGAR 1 STAGE BENGALURU-560040. 37. SRI. K.T. MONNAPPA (RETD GUARD) AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS S/O LATE THIMMMALAH R/AT. NO. 105, EWSS, E&F BLOCK NEAR KEB POWER STATION, III CROSS, RAMAKRISHNA NAGAR MYSURU-57001 SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. B S NAGARAJ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHANA SOUDHA DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT, M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 3. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (CHIEF OF FOREST FORCE), ARANYA BHAVAN, MALLESWRAM, BANGALORE 560 003 4. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TIGER BLOCK PROJECT, MYSORE 570001 5. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHAMRAJANAGARA CIRCLE, CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT - 571111 6. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE M.S.BUILDING, DR, AMBEDKAR VEEDI BANGALORE - 560 001 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO I. QUASH THE ORDER DATED 17.08.2015, PASSED BY THE R2 ADDL. SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT MADE AND COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-B. IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERNED II. DIRECT THE R1 AND 2 TO TAKE - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RELEASE THE REWARD AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE PETITIONERS AS PER ANNEXURE-E, LIST PREPARED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AND 2 AS PER ORDER DATED 14.08.2024 PASSED OF THIS HONORABLE COURT PASSED IN WP NO. 10982/2018 C/W WP NO. 50155/2015 AND WP NO. 31605/2025 WHO ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED TO THE PETITIONERS. COPIES SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. III. PASS SIMILAR ORDER DATED 14.08.2024 PASSED IN WP NO. 10982/2018 C/W WP NO. 50150/2015 AND ORDER DATED 20.12.2024 PASSED IN WP NO. 31605/2025 AS THE PETITIONER ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED. THE TRUE COPY OF THE SAID ORDER IS SUBMITTED HEREWITH AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. IN WP NO. 34040/2025 BETWEEN: 1. K P REUNUKAPPA AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, FOREST WATCHER, S/O K.S PANCHAKSHARI SHETTY, M.M. HILLS, WILD LIFE RANGE M.M. HILLS -HANNUR TALUK CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT 2. K.P SHIVASHANKARAPPA, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, S/O K.S PANCHAKSHARI SHETTY, R/AT K KITTANAKERE VILLAGE, AND POST, KANKATTE HOBLI AND POST, ARASIKERE TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT- 573117 3. SRI. CHANNAMALLAIAH, AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS, RETIRED GUARD, S/O SODI NANJAIAH, R/AT NO. 320/15 COURT ROAD, CHAMARAJANAGARA-571313 4. SRI. BISALAPPA, - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS RETIRED WATCHER, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, S/O MARAPPA, R/AT NAYAKARA BEEDI, COWDAHALLI VILLAGE, HANUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGARA- DISTRICT- 571313 5. SRI. M.P MADEVA SHETTY, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, RETIRED WIRELESS OPERATOR, S/O.M. PUTTU SHETTY, R/AT RAMAPURA VILLAGE AND HOBLI, HANNUR TALUK, CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT 6. SRI. CHANDRA, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, RETD. WATCHER S/O DODDEGOWDA, R/AT KURABARA BEEDI, RAMAPURA VILLAGE, HANUR TALUK, CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT 7. SMT. RAJATHI, AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS, W/O LATE. SRI. MADESHA, NOW, R/AT M M HILLS OPP- TEMPLE, HANUR TALUK, CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT 8. SMT. GOWRI ALIAS GOWRAMMA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, W/O MARU, RETIRED WATCHER, R/AT KALIYURU VILLAGE, TALAKADU HOBLI, T NARASIPURA TALUK, MYSURU DISTRICT. 9. SRI. CHIKKARAVALI, AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, RETIRED WATCHER, S/O LATE CHIKKARAVALI, - 16 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS R/AT COWDALLI VILLAGE AND POST, HANUR TALUK CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT BENEFIT OF SR. CITIZEN NOT CLAIMED ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. B S NAGARAJ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE - 560 001 3. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, (CHIEF OF FOREST FORCE), ARANYA BHAVAN, MALLESWRAM, BANGALORE - 560 003 4. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TIGER BLOCK PROJECT, MYSORE 570001 5. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHAMRAJANAGARA CIRCLE, CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT -571313 6. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, M.S.BUILDING, DR, AMBEDKAR VEEDI BANGALORE - 560 001 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA) - 17 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASHING THE ORDER DATED, 17.08.2015, PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2, ADDL. SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-B., IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERN. DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AND 2 IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RELEASE THE REWARD AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE PETITIONERS AS PER ANNEXURE-E, LIST PREPARED BY THE RESPONDENT NO 1AND 2, AS PER ORDER DATED, 14.08.2024, PASSED OF THIS HON'BLE COURT PASSED IN W.P.NO. 10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO.50155/2015, AND W.P.NO.31605/ 2024 WHO ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED TO THE PETITIONER COPIES SUBMITTED AT ANX-A AND A1 PASS SIMILAR ORDER DATED 14.08.2024, PASSED IN W.P. AND ORDER NO.10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO. 50150/2015 AND ORDER DTD 20.12.2024 PASSED IN WP 31605/2024 AS PETITIONERS ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED. THE TRUE COPY OF THE SAID ORDER IS SUBMITTED HEREWITH AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. IN WP NO. 36589/2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI NAGARAJU AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, RETD. DRIVER, S/O LATE KADEGOWDA R/AT NO. 423, VIJAYANAGAR IIND, STAGE, THANNIRU HALLA, HASSAN TOWN -573117 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 2. MANIYEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, RETIRED GUARD S/O BOMMEGOWDA R/AT KANIYANAGOWDANA PURA COLONY, GUNDLUPETE TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT-ISTRICT-571313. - 18 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 3. SRI. PUTTARANGAIAH, AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, RETD. GUARD, S/O LATE SIDDAIAH R/AT MAHADESWARA COLONY IYANNAPURA VILLAGE, NAGAUVAHALLY POST, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRICT-571313 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 4. SMT. CHANDARAMMA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, W/O.LATE N. MAHADEVAIAH, RETD. GUARD R/AT TOGARAPURA VILLAGE AND CHILAKAVADI VILLAGE AND POST, KASABA HOBLI, KOLLEGAL TALUK,-571440 CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT- (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 5. SRI. M. SRINIVASA AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS, RETD. SUPERINTENDENT S/O LATE MADAIAH, R/AT NO.32, SC/ST GOVT EMPLOYEES, KEMPANAPALAY EXT.ROAD, NEAR MANJUNATH NAGAR KOLLEGAL -571440 CHAMARAJA NAGARA DISTRICT- 571313. (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 6. SRI. HUTCHAIAH, AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS, RETD. WATCHER S/O LATE. KRISHNAPPA, KOLLEGAL TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT-571444 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 7. SMT MAHADEVAMMA - 19 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS S/O LATE SIDDAIAH B RETIRED FOREST GUARD, R/AT RAMASWAMYLAYOUT KARINANJANPUA EXTENSION BUDDHANAGAR CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT-571313 (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 8. SRI AVINASH AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, S/O LATE SIDAPPAJI B S RETD GUARD R/AT NO.2161, CH 25 2ND CROSS ASHOK PURAM MYSURU-571016 9. SRI DEVAIAH, AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS, RETD. WATCHER, S/O LATE MARIDEVAIAH, R/AT 2166, CH.45/1, 3RD CROSS, ASHOK PURAM MYSURU-570008 SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 10. SMT. VASANTHA KUMARI, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS W/O N. CHINNASWAMY, RETD. DRFO R/AT NO.14/88, AMBEDKAR STREET, (CHAMARAJ NAGAR 571313 SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 11. SMT. MASANAMMA AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS W/O LATE MADA, RETIRED M.R.WATCHER R/AT. BEDGULI, KUNJANOOR RANGE CHANDAKAVADI HOBLI, CHAMMARAJ NAGAR TQ AND DISTRICT-571313 - 20 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS 12. SMT. SIDDARAJAMMA AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS W/O, LATE MAHADEVA, RETD. WATCHER R/AT. BOODIPADGA KULLUR VILLAG AND POST, CHAMARAJ NAGAR TALUK AND DISTRICT-571313 13. SRI. MAHADEVA AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS RETIRED M.R. WATCHER S/O LATE BALARAMA NAIKA R/AT BOODIPADGA (RANGASANDAR) KULLUR POST, CHANDAKAVADI HOBLI, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRACT (SENIOR CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED) 14. SRI. Y. NAGU. AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS RETIRED WATCHER S/O LATE VENKATAIAH R/AT CHANAGCHOHALLY VILLAGE, AMBLE HOBLI YALANDUR TALUK CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRACT (SENIOR CITIZEN BENIFIT NOT CLAIMED). ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. B S NAGARAJ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHAN SOUDHA, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE - 560 001 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT M.S.BUILDING, - 21 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE - 560 001 3. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHIEF OF FOREST FORCE, ARANYA BHAVAN, MALLESWRAM, BANGALORE 560 003 4. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TIGER BLOCK PROJECT, MYSORE 570001 5. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHAMRAJANAGARA CIRCLE, CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT - 571313 6. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE M.S.BUILDING, DR, AMBEDKAR VEEDI BANGALORE 560 001 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO I. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER, QUASHING THE ORDER DATED, 17.08.2015, PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2, ADDL. SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT MADE IN REF NO. REF. NO.113 2007, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-B., IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERN. II. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AND 2 TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RELEASE THE REWARD AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE PETITIONERS AS PER RESOLUTION AND ORDER DATED 08.07.2005, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE- D AND LIST PREPARED BY THE RESPONDENT - 22 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS NO 1 AND 2, AS PER ORDER DATED, 14.08.2024, PASSED OF THIS HON'BLE COURT PASSED IN W.P.NO. 10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO.50155/2015, AND W.P.NO.31605/ 2024, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-E, WHO ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED TO THE PETITIONERS. COPIES SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1, AND III. PASS SIMILAR ORDER DATED 14.08.2024, PASSED IN W.P. NO.10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO. 50150/2015, AND ORDER DATED, 20.12.2024, PASSED IN W.P.NO.31605/2024 AS THE PETITIONERS ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED. THE TRUE COPY OF THE SAID ORDER IS SUBMITTED HEREWITH AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. IN WP NO. 8003/2026 BETWEEN: 1. SRI RANGASWAMY AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, (DAILY WAGE WORKER) S/O LATE SIDDANAIAKA R/AT HUTHUR-ODEYARAPALYA VILLAGE HANNUR TALUK, CHAMRAJANAGARA DISTRICT- 571457, SR. CITIZEN BENEFIT NOT CLAIMED 2. SMT. RAJAMMA W/O LATE, MUNIYA (WATCHER) R/AT PUSHPAPURA VILLAGE, AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, SHOGYA POST, KASABA HOBLI, HANNUR TALUK, CHAMRAJANAGARA DISTRICT-571444. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. B S NAGARAJ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO - 23 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, VIDHAN SOUDHA, DR.AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT M.S.BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE 560 001 3. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR FOREST, (CHIEF OF FOREST FORCE), ARANYA BHAVAN, MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003 4. THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TIGER BLOCK PROJECT, MYSORE 570001 5. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, CHAMRAJANAGARA CIRCLE, CHAMARAJANAGARA TALUK AND DISTRICT 571313 6. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE M.S.BUILDING, DR, AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BANGALORE - 560 001 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. ADITYA DIWAKAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO I. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER, QUASHING THE ORDER DATED, 17.08.2015, PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2, ADDL. SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT MADE IN REF NO. REF. NO. A PA SE 113 A PA SE 2007, - 24 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-B., IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS ARE CONCERN. II. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AND 2 TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RELEASE THE REWARD AMOUNT PAYABLE TO THE PETITIONERS AS PER RESOLUTION AND ORDER DATED 08.07.2005, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-D AND LIST PREPARED BY THE RESPONDENT NO 1 AND 2, AS PER ORDER DATED, 14.08.2024, PASSED OF THIS HON'BLE COURT PASSED IN W.P.NO.10982/2018 C/WW.P.NO.50155/2015, AND W.P.NO.31605/ 2024, COPY SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-E WHO ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED TO THE PETITIONERS COPIES SUBMITTED AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1.III. PASS SIMILAR ORDER DATED 14.08.2024, PASSED IN W.P. NO. 10982/2018 C/W W.P.NO. 50150/2015, AND ORDER DATED, 20.012.2024, PASSED IN W.P.NO.31605/2024 AS THE PETITIONERS ARE ALSO SIMILARLY SITUATED. THE TRUE COPY OF THE SAID ORDER IS SUBMITTED HEREWITH AT ANNEXURE-A AND A1. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The present batch of petitions is instituted by the petitioners, who were members of the Special Task Force constituted for the specific purpose of apprehending the notorious forest brigand Koose Munisamy Veerappan. The - 25 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS petitioners call in question the legality and correctness of the endorsement issued by respondent No.2, as produced at Annexure-B, and seek a consequential writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to release the reward amount payable to them in terms of the Government Resolution and Order dated 08.07.2005. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the respondent-State. The material placed on record has been carefully perused. 3. The short question that arises for consideration is as to whether the endorsement dated 17.08.2015, as produced at Annexure-B, is liable to be interfered with, particularly in the light of the judgment rendered by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in a batch of writ petitions, the lead matter being W.P.No.10982/2018, wherein the very same endorsement has been set aside and - 26 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS appropriate directions have been issued in two connected judgments. 4. An ancillary, yet significant, issue that falls for consideration is as to whether the petitioners, who were serving in the Forest Department and were associated with the Special Task Force constituted exclusively for the purpose of tracking and neutralizing the said forest brigand, can be denied the benefit of the reward in terms of Government Order No. HD 33: PO 2005, Bengaluru. 5. This precise controversy is no longer res integra, inasmuch as a Coordinate Bench of this Court has already examined the issue in extenso and has proceeded to quash the very same endorsement impugned herein. In that view of the matter, it would be apposite to extract paragraph 10 as well as the operative portion of the order passed in W.P.No.10982/2018 c/w W.P.No.50155/2015, which reads as under: - 27 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS "10. It is not in dispute that the petitioners were all part of the STF which was constituted by the State Government to nab the forest brigand Mr. Veerappan. It is a matter of record that several officers of the Department of Police and Department of Forest had laid down their lives at the hands of Mr. Veerappan while serving the STF. The DG and IGP in terms of his letter dated 24.01.2005 had sent a proposal to the State Government to reward the personnel from the Forest Department, Department of Police and the informants who were involved in events leading upto the day of hunting down the forest brigand. Following this, the respondent No.1 had issued a Government Order dated 08.07.2005 accepting the proposal as submitted by the DG and IGP of Police. Apart from this, an increment was ordered to be given to all those employees who were part of the STF and were granted the benefit of a site in a District Place. A list of persons who were entitled to the reward was prepared. The names of the petitioners were found in the said list of employees of the Department of Forest who were eligible for the reward. It appears that the request of the petitioners was not considered despite representations made by them which compelled them to file W.P.Nos.2765-2796/2015 before this Court which were disposed off in terms of the order - 28 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS dated 27.01.2015. Since the representation of the petitioners were not considered by the respondent No.3, C.C.C.Nos.654-672/2015 were filed. After service of notice in the contempt petitions, the respondent No.1 held proceedings and restricted reward to only six persons who were part of the STF when Mr. Veerappan was gunned down on 18.10.2004. This apparently was on the ground that granting the reward to those employees who were part of the STF would result in enormous expenditure to the State Exchequer as the amount set apart for the reward was exhausted. Respondent Nos.1 and 2 being model employers were bound to stick to the promise made by the Executive Order dated 08.07.2005 offering the reward to the department staff who were part of STF, including the petitioners. A promise is made to be honoured and not to be broken and a promise made by a sovereign State has its own intrinsic value, giving a sense of purpose and pride to whom it is made. It is known the world over that Mr. Veerappan was not gunned down in a day, but it took several lives and several years and several persons had risked their lives in providing information about Mr. Veerappan from time to time. The State could have either rewarded all who were involved in hunting down of Mr. Veerappan or not at all. It could not have trivialized the effort and - 29 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS courage of all those who were killed or who had survived the onslaught of the brigand, by restricting the reward to only a handful. The action on the part of the respondents in restricting the reward to few persons from the Forest Department is not sensible and shows the insensitivity of the State Government. Therefore, to grant the reward to only persons who were part of the STF on 18.10.2004 does not stand to reason but is indeed an act of discrimination. Therefore, the impugned order passed by the respondent No.2 deserves to be interfered with. Consequently, the following: ORDER i. The Writ Petitions are allowed. ii. The order Dated 17.08.2015 passed by the respondent No.2 - Additional Secretary, Department of Forest and Environment, bearing No.C¥Àfà 113 C¥À¸Éà 2007, Bangalore, in so far as it relates to the petitioner in W.P.No.10982/2018 and petitioners in W.P.No.50155/2015 is quashed. iii. Respondent Nos.1 and 2 are directed to take immediate steps to release the reward payable to the petitioner in W.P.No.10982/2018 and petitioners in - 30 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS W.P.No.50155/2015 as per the Government Order dated 08.07.2005. This shall be done within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order." 6. Having given anxious consideration to the findings recorded by the Coordinate Bench in the judgment extracted supra, this Court is of the considered view that the stand now canvassed by the State, seeking to deny the petitioners the benefit of reward, is wholly untenable and cannot be countenanced. The Coordinate Bench, upon an elaborate examination of the factual matrix, has categorically held that once the names of the personnel, including those from the Forest Department, are found in the list of eligible beneficiaries prepared pursuant to the Government Order dated 08.07.2005, the State is estopped from denying such benefit on a specious plea that only a limited set of officers, who were present on the date when Koose Munisamy Veerappan was neutralized on 18.10.2004, would alone be entitled for the - 31 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS reward. The said contention of the State has been expressly rejected as being arbitrary, discriminatory, and contrary to the very object of the Government Order. This Court finds that the petitioners herein stand on identical footing as that of the petitioners in the earlier batch of writ petitions, and therefore, the denial of reward to the present petitioners would amount to perpetuation of an illegality which already stands corrected by judicial intervention. 7. This Court is also fortified in its view by the well-settled principle of law that when a Court has adjudicated upon an issue and granted relief in respect of a class of persons, the State and its instrumentalities, being model employers, are under a constitutional obligation to extend the benefit of such adjudication to all similarly situated persons, without driving each one of them to approach the Court individually. In this regard, though rendered in a different factual context, the principles enunciated by the Division Bench in Nagappa - 32 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS vs. State of Karnataka1 are squarely applicable to the case on hand. The Division Bench has emphatically held that once a matter has attained finality and relief is granted, the authorities are duty-bound to uniformly apply the same to all eligible persons forming part of the same class. Applying the said principle to the present case, this Court is of the opinion that the respondents cannot discriminate between the petitioners herein and those who have already been extended the benefit pursuant to the earlier judgment. 8. In that view of the matter, this Court holds that the present petitions are liable to succeed. More so, the very endorsement dated 17.08.2015, as produced at Annexure-B, which forms the substratum of the dispute, has already been quashed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court. Therefore, the continuance of the said endorsement, insofar as it relates to the present petitioners, cannot be sustained in the eye of law. The 1 W.A.No.1856 of 1986 Dated: 01.08.1986 - 33 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS petitioners, whose names admittedly find place in the list of eligible personnel, are entitled to be considered for grant of reward in terms of the Government Order dated 08.07.2005, and the respondents are bound to act in consonance with the directions already issued by this Court in the earlier round of litigation. 9. For the foregoing reasons, this Court proceeds to pass the following: ORDER (i) The writ petitions are allowed; (ii) The endorsement dated 17.08.2015 issued by respondent No.2, as produced at Annexure-B, insofar as it relates to the present petitioners, stands quashed; (iii) Respondent Nos.1 and 2 are directed to consider the case of the petitioners for release of the reward amount in terms of the Government Order dated 08.07.2005, keeping in view the law - 34 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21881 WP No. 1190 of 2026 C/W WP No. 31956 of 2025 WP No. 34040 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS laid down by this Court in W.P.No.10982/2018 c/w W.P.No.50155/2015; (iv) Such consideration shall be undertaken expeditiously and in any event within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order; (v) It is made clear that the respondents shall extend the benefit to the petitioners on parity with other similarly placed personnel, without driving them to further rounds of litigation. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE CA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 61