Gireesh Achar v. Mr. P Subramanyam IFS
Case brief
What is this about?
CCC No. 273 of 2023, High Court of Karnataka (NC: 2025:KHC:3107-DB), order dated 24.01.2025 by K. Somashekar, J. (bench: K. Somashekar and Venkatesh Naik T, JJ.). Civil contempt for willful disobedience of order dated 15.03.2022 in WP No.5532/2022 (GM-FOR-PIL) requiring completion of mutation of forest land, Shivamogga Circle; Rule 17 Karnataka Forest Rules 1969; compliance affidavits of Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Conservators of Forest (Shivamogga Wildlife, Sagar, Bhadravathi, Shivamogga divisions) showing 74%–88% mutation completed and appeals filed against cancelled grants; reliance on S.Tirupati Rao vs. Lingamaiah, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 1764 (discretionary nature of contempt, impossibility/bona fides defence); contempt dropped; I.A.1/2024 (Section 151 CPC; mutation of 10377 acres in name of KPCL) does not survive; liberty granted. Accused Nos. 5–15 deleted vide VCO dated 12.6.2023.