SANTOSH MARTIN Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioners as well as learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos. 1 to 5.

(2.) This public interest litigation has been filed challenging the Government Order dtd. 28/8/2015 whereby a direction was issued for shifting of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park from Ballari to Bilikallu Reserved Forest, Hospet. The petitioners have also prayed for a writ of prohibition prohibiting respondent No. 5 from proceeding with the construction of the zoo in the absence of obtaining permission of the Supreme Court as per the directions issued in Writ Petition No. 47 of 1998 (Raheja v. Union of India) and in the absence of obtaining permission of the Standing Committee of the Indian Board of Wildlife as per clause 3.5.1 of the Guidance Document dtd. 19/12/2012.

(3.) Respondent Nos. 1 to 5 have filed their statement of objections. Learned Central Government Counsel appearing for the Union of India - respondent Nos. 6 to 10 has supported the stand of the State Government. Learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos. 1 to 5 has filed a memo, which is taken on record.