Full Judgment Text
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NC: 2026:KHC:4202-DB
CCC No. 797 of 2025
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
TH
DATED THIS THE 27 DAY OF JANUARY, 2026
PRESENT
THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA
CIVIL CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 797 OF 2025
BETWEEN:
1. SRI SATHYANARAYANAPPA
S/O YARRAPPA
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS
R/A MARAVENAHALLI VILLAGE
DODDAPYALAGURKI
CHIKKABALLAPURA TALUK
CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT - 562 104
2. SRI MUNIVENKATAPPA
S/O RAMAIAH
AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS
R/A SUGNANA SAGARA VILLAGE
CHIKKAAPYALAGURKI
CHIKKABALLAPURA TALUK
CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT - 562 104
…COMPLAINANTS
Digitally
signed by
SUMATHY
KANNAN
Location:
High Court
of Karnataka
(BY SRI PRAKASH B.S., ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. SRI H.C. GIRISH
DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST
CHIKKABALLAPUR DIVISION
CHIKKABALLAPUR - 562 101
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NC: 2026:KHC:4202-DB
CCC No. 797 of 2025
HC-KAR
2. P.N. RAVINDRA, I.A.S.,
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT
CHIKKABALLAPUR - 562 101
…ACCUSED
3. STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF FOREST
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
ROOM NO. 708, GATE - II
MULTISTORIED BUILDING
BENGALURU - 560 001
…PRO FORMA RESPONDENT
(BY SRI MOHAMMED JAFFAR SHAH, AGA)
THIS CCC IS FILED UNDER SECTIONS 11 AND 12 OF
THE CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT , 1971 AND ARTICLE 215
OF CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO INITIATE
CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ACCUSED FOR
WILLFULLY AND DELIBERATELY DISOBEYING THE
DIRECTION OF THIS HON'BLE COURT VIDE JUDGMENT AND
ORDER DATED 07.06.2024 PASSED IN AFOREMENTIONED
WRIT PETITION NO.240/2024 & ETC.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
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NC: 2026:KHC:4202-DB
CCC No. 797 of 2025
HC-KAR
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA
ORAL ORDER
(PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE)
1. Complainants have filed the present complaint alleging willful
disobedience of the order dated 07.06.2024 passed by the learned
Single Judge in Writ Petition No.240/2024 (GM-FOR).
2. In terms of the said order, the accused were directed to
address the grievance of the complainants and consider their
representation dated 07.08.2023.
3. Accused have filed a compliance affidavit stating that their
representation has been considered and an endorsement dated
13.08.2025 has been issued. In addition to the above, he has also
addressed a communication dated 23.10.2025 to the Jurisdictional
Commissioner stating that there are certain lacunae in the order
passed by the Forest Settlement Officer.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the complainants submits
that the order passed by the Forest Settlement Officer cannot be
reviewed in the manner as sought to be done.
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NC: 2026:KHC:4202-DB
CCC No. 797 of 2025
HC-KAR
5. The scope of the present complaint is limited. Since the
accused has decided the representation of the complainants, no
proceedings for willful disobedience of the said order could be
maintained. The complaint is accordingly, closed.
6. We would clarify that this would not preclude the
complainants from availing substantive remedies against the
endorsement issued by the accused or any communication
addressed by it.
Sd/-
(VIBHU BAKHRU)
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sd/-
(C.M. POONACHA)
JUDGE
KS
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