SHRI ASHOK S/O GANGAPPA HARIJAN vs THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER

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WP No. 104977 of 2025

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT DHARWAD

TH
DATED THIS THE 27 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF

WRIT PETITION NO.104977 OF 2025 (LA-RES)

BETWEEN:

1. SHRI ASHOK S/O GANGAPPA HARIJAN,
AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

2. SHRI RAMALINGAPPA S/O FAKIRAPPA HARIJAN,
AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

3. SHRI HANAMANT S/O FAKIRAPPA HOLER,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

4. SHRI NINGAPPA S/O SHIVABASAPPA AMBABAI,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

5. SHRI MADEV S/O FAKIRAPPA TAHASHILDAR,
AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

6. SHRI RAMANIGAPPA S/O. FAKIRAPPA HARIJAN,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: KENGANUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

Digitally signed by
THEJAS KUMAR N
Location: High
Court of Karnataka,
Dharwad Bench

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7. SMT. YALLAWWA W/O SIDDAPPA AMBABAI,
AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

8. SHRI VEERABADRAPPA S/O RUDRAPPA YENAGI,
AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

9. SHRI RUDRAPPA S/O ANNAPPA KOTTAL,
AGE: 64 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

10. SHIR. NIZAMUDDIN S/O GAFARASAB JAGIRADAR,
AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

11. SHRI SALIM S/O SAIFUDDIN JAGIRADAR,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

12. SHRI MAHADEVAPPA S/O SIDDALINGAPPA KIROJI,
AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

13. SHRI VEERABADRAPPA S/O BASAPPA KIROJI,
AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

14. SHRI. SHIVAPPA S/O BASAPPA KIROJI,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

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15. SHRI. SIDDARUD S/O SIDDALINGAPPA KIROJI,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.

16. SHRI. MADIWALAPPA S/O SHIVAPPA KIROJI,
AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE,
R/O: GARJUR, TQ: BAILHONGAL,
DIST: BELAGAVI, PIN: 591102.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. HANAMANT LATUR, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER,
MALAPRABHA PROJECT-3,
BAGALAKOT. PIN: 587103.

2. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER,
M.L.B.C-DIVISION-3,
NAVILUTIRTH. PIN: 591116.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SMT. RATNAMALA G.H., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226
AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO (I)
ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS
TO GRANT CROP COMPENSATION AND DAMAGES WITH
INTEREST FROM 1980-1981 I.E. YEAR OF POSSESSION OF
LANDS OF PETITIONERS TILL DATE OF NOTIFICATION DATED
12-05-2011 ISSUED U/SEC-4(1) OF LAND ACQUISITION ACT
BY CONSIDERING THE ANNEXURE-A NOTICE DATED
09/03/2016, ISSUED BY PETITIONERS, SO FAR PRESENT
PETITIONERS IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. (II)

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PASS ANY OTHER ORDER OR ORDERS THAT THIS HON’BLE
COURT DEEMS FIT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE,
WITH COST, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING
IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS
UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.M.NADAF
ORAL ORDER
Heard Sri. Hanmant Latur, learned counsel appearing
for the petitioners and Smt. Ratnamala G.H., learned
HCGP appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2.

2. This petition is filed by the petitioners with the
following reliefs:
“(i) Issue a Writ of mandamus directing the
respondents to grant crop compensation and damages
with interest from 1980-1981 i.e. year of possession of
lands of petitioners till date of notification dated 12-
05-2011 issued u/sec-4(1) of land acquisition act by
considering the annexure-a notice dated 09/03/2016,
issued by petitioners, so far present petitioners in the
interest of justice and equity.

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(ii) Pass any other order or orders that this Hon’ble court
deems fit in the circumstances of the case, with cost,
in the interest of justice and equity.”

3. The claim of the petitioners that they are the
owners of land in Kenganur village and Garjur village. The
details of which are as follows:
“PÉAUÁ£ÀÆgÀ UÁæªÀÄzÀ d«ÄÃ£ÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ
1) gÁªÀÄ°AUÀ¥Àà ¥sÀQÃgÀ¥Àà ºÀjd£À j.¸À.£ÀA.109/2© PÉëÃvÀæ 4 UÀÄAmÉ
2) ¥sÀQÃgÀ¥Àà AiÀÄ®è¥Àà ºÉÆ'ÉÃgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.109/5¹ PÉëÃvÀæ 3 UÀÄAmÉ
3) C±ÉÆÃPÀ UÀAUÀ¥Àà ºÀjd£À j.¸À.£ÀA.109/5© PÉëÃvÀæ 3 UÀÄAmÉ
4) AiÀÄªÀÄ£À¥Àà UÀAUÀ¥Àà ªÀiÁzÀgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.109/7 PÉëÃvÀæ 1 UÀÄAmÉ
5) ºÀtªÀÄAvÀ ¥sÀQÃgÀ¥Àà ºÉÆ'ÉÃgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.109/8 PÉëÃvÀæ 4 UÀÄAmÉ
6) UÀAUÀ¥Àà AiÀÄªÀÄ£À¥Àà ªÀiÁzÀgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.109/5J PÉëÃvÀæ 6 UÀÄAmÉ
7) ¤AUÀ¥Àà ²§¸À¥Àà CA¨Á¨Á¬Ä j.¸À.£ÀA.91/1J+1©/2 PÉëÃvÀæ 16 UÀÄAmÉ
8) ªÀiÁzÉÃªÀ ¥sÀQÃgÀ¥Àà vÀºÀ²Ã'ÁÝgÀ @PÉÆÃ®PÁgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.92/1 PÉëÃvÀæ 14
UÀÄAmÉ
9) gÁªÀÄ¤AUÀ¥Àà ¥sÀQÃgÀ¥Àà ºÀjd£À j.¸À.£ÀA.109/2¹ PÉëÃvÀæ 1 JPÀgÉ
24UÀÄAmÉ
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UÀdÆðgÀ UÁæªÀÄzÀ d«ÄÃ£ÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ;
11) ²æÃªÀÄw AiÀÄ®èªÀé ¹zÀÝ¥Àà CA¨Á¨Á¬Ä j.¸À.£ÀA.30/3J PÉëÃvÀæ 5UÀÄAmÉ
12) ªÀiÁgÀÄw §¸À¥Àà PÀgÀ«£À j.¸À.£ÀA.8/1J PÉëÃvÀæ 4 UÀÄAmÉ

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13) «ÃgÀ¨sÀzÀæ¥Àà gÀÄzÀæ¥Àà KtV j.¸À.£ÀA.8/2J PÉëÃvÀæ 10 UÀÄAmÉ
14) EªÀiÁªÀÄºÀÄ¸ÉÃ£À ºÀªÉÄä¸Á§ eÁVÃgÀzÁgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.10/2J/1 PÉëÃvÀæ
15) gÀÄzÀæ¥Àà CtÚ¥Àà PÉÆvÀÛ® j.¸À.£ÀA.10/5 PÉëÃvÀæ 16 UÀÄAmÉ
16) ¤eÁªÀÄÄ¢Ý£À UÀ¥sÁgÀ¸Á§ eÁVÃgÀzÁgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.10/2© PÉëÃvÀæ 15 UÀÄAmÉ
17) ¸À°ÃªÀÄ ¸ÉÊ¥sÀÅ¢Ý£À eÁVÃgÀzÁgÀ j.¸À.£ÀA.27/2 PÉëÃvÀæ 20 UÀÄAmÉ
18) ªÀÄºÁzÉÃ¥Àà ¹zÀÝ°AUÀ¥Àà QgÉÆÃf j.¸À.£ÀA.29/1 PÉëÃvÀæ 8 UÀÄAmÉ
19) «ÃgÀ¨sÀzÀæ¥Àà §¸À¥Àà QgÉÆÃf j.¸À.£ÀA.29/2J PÉëÃvÀæ 3 UÀÄAmÉ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ
j.¸À.£ÀA.29/2© PÉëÃvÀæ 3UÀÄAmÉ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ j.¸À.£ÀA.30/4+5/2 PÉëÃvÀæ 15
UÀÄAmÉ
20) ²ªÀ¥Àà §¸À¥Àà QgÉÆÃf j.¸À.£ÀA.30/2+1J PÉëÃvÀæ 5 UÀÄAmÉ
21) ¹zÁÝgÉÆÃqsÀ ¹zÀÝ°AUÀ¥Àà QgÉÆÃf j.¸À.£ÀA.30/1+2 PÉëÃvÀæ 5 UÀÄAmÉ
22) ªÀÄrªÁ¼À¥Àà ²ªÀ¥Àà QgÉÆÃf j.¸À.£ÀA.30/3§ PÉëÃvÀæ 11 UÀÄAmÉ”
Stated as disclosed in Annexure-A, notice issued to
the respondents.

4. It is the case of the petitioners that their lands
have been utilized for the purpose of construction of canal
in the year 1980-81. However, without paying any
compensation, after a period of 30 years, the respondents
issued notification under Section 4(1) of Land Acquisition

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1
Act, 1894 on 22.11.2011, proposing to acquire the land.
Thereafter, the Final Notification came to be issued.

5. The case of the petitioners before this Court is
that though their lands have been utilized in the year
1980-81 for the purpose of construction of canal, however,
without resorting to any acquisition proceedings, it is only
in the year 2011, proceedings under Section 4(1) of the
Act has been contemplated. In that view of the matter, the
petitioners are entitled for grant of crop compensation and
damages with interest from the year 1980-81 till the
Notification i.e., from the year of possession of the land till
the date of Notification. The contention of the petitioners is
supported by Annexure-C, an intimation dated 22.11.2021
issued by Assistant Executive Engineer, Karnataka
Neeravari Nigam Yatha Neeravari Sub Division- 5,
Bailhongaa, stating that the land in Kenganur and Garjur
Villages have been utilized for the purpose of Kenganur

1
Hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act’

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Yatha Neeravari project (lift irrigation project) and the
canal has been constructed in the year 1980-81.

6. Smt. Ratnamala G.H., learned HCGP, though
tried to support action, however, in view of the documents
issued which has already been referred supra i.e.,
Annexure-C, her contentions in support of the actions
cannot be countenanced.

7. In that view of the matter, this Court proceeds
to dispose of the Writ Petition, directing the respondents
to consider the notice/representation dated 09.03.2016,
issued on behalf of the petitioners to pay crop
compensation and damages for utilization of land without
resorting to any acquisition notification for a period of 30
years from 1980-81 along with interest as sought in the
said representation/legal notice.

8. The respondents are directed to consider the
representation/notice as expeditiously as possible within
an outer limit of four weeks from today, pass appropriate

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reasoned orders thereon and file compliance report
immediately after sixth week from today i.e., on
14.12.2026.

Sd/-
(T.M.NADAF)
JUDGE

RKM
CT: UMD

List No.: 3 Sl No.: 5