PURUSHOTHAMMA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present public interest litigation, the petitioners, who claim to be the residents of Lakshmipura Village, K.G.Jajuru, Sompura Hobli, Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District, have prayed this Court to quash the mining lease order dtd. 22/10/2021 granted in favour of respondent No.6-Sri Ranga Granites.

(2.) The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that respondent No.6 is carrying out blasting activities which is causing serious damage to the residential houses in the vicinity of the said village. He submits that these houses are situated at a distance of about 150 to 200 meters from the area for which the quarry lease has been granted to respondent No.6. He further submits that there is a temple situated within a distance of 200 meters from the quarry area and the possibility of damage being caused to the temple cannot be ruled out on account of the blasting activities carried out by respondent No.6.

(3.) In response to the notice issued by this Court, statement of objections has been filed on behalf of respondent Nos.1 to 5. It may be necessary to refer to the statements made in the statement of objections which relate to grant of quarry lease under the relevant provisions of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 (for short 'the said Rules of 1994').