SRI. SANGAMNATH HANJI vs STATE OF KARNATAKA
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58956-DB
WP No. 32833 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010725992026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
TH
DATED THIS THE 17 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026
PRESENT
THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.S.BHARATH KUMAR
WRIT PETITION NO. 32833 OF 2026 (GM-RES-PIL)
BETWEEN:
1. SRI. SANGAMNATH HANJI
S/O. VEERANNA HANJI,
AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS,
R/A. NO. 121, BILAGI PLOT,
NAGASHETTIKOPPA, KESHWAPUR,
HUBBALLI-580032
2. SRI. SHRIRANGA,
S/O. RAMACHANDRA HANUMASAGAR,
AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS,
R/A. NO. 122A1B, SHRI VENKATARYA,
MAYURI ESTATE, KESHWAPUR,
HUBBALLI-580032.
3. SRI. P. BHAVANI SHANKAR,
S/O. NARAYANSWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
R/A. PLOT NO. 13, INDIRA COLONY,
KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI-580032
4. SRI. VINAYAK NAIKAR
S/O. MAHADEV,
AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS,
R/A. MADHAVA NAGAR, NORTH SIDE,
GOPANA KOPPA, HUBLI TALUK,
Digitally
signed by
PAVITHRA
N
Location:
High Court
of Karnataka
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DHARWAD DISTRICT - 580032
5. SRI. PRASHANTH BHAJANTRI
S/O. KENCHAPPA
AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS,
R/A. NO.319, DEVANGPETH, HUBLI TALUK,
DHARWAD DISTRICT-580032
6. SRI. JOTIBA MORE
S/O. THATHOBA
AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS,
R/A, MADHAVA NAGAR, NORTH SIDE,
GOPANA KOPPA, HUBLI TALUK,
DHARWAD DISTRICT-580032
7. SRI. NIKHIL BANI
S/O. PRAKASH
AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS,
R/A. NO.63, NEAR BALAJI HAIR KATING,
MADHAVA NAGAR, HUBLI TALUK,
DHARWAD DISTRICT-580032
8. SRI. NINGAPPA RAMAGERI,
S/O. SHIVAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS,
R/A. NO.369, MADHAVA NAGAR, NORTH SIDE,
GOPANA KOPPA, HUBLI TALUK,
DHARWAD DISTRICT-580032
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. P.P.HEGDE, SENIOR COUNSEL FOR
SRI ROHITH R. KUMAR, ADV.)
AND:
1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY,
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WP No. 32833 of 2026
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VIDHANA SOUDHA,
DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI,
BENGALURU - 560001.
2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF HOME,
2ND FLOOR,
VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU - 560001
3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
DHARWAD DISTRICT,
DHARWAD-580032
4. HON'BLE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
HUBBALI DHARWAD CITY, NAVANAGAR,
DHARWAD - 580032
5. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE,
DHARWAD DISTRICT,
DHARWAD-580032
6. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE
KESHWAPUR POLICE STATION,
HUBLI-580023
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. V.G.BHANU PRAKASH, AAG A/W
SMT. PRAMODHINI KISHAN, AGA)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE
NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT,
ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING RESPONDENT NOS.1 TO 6
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WP No. 32833 of 2026
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TO ENSURE THAT ANY PROTEST, RALLY, PROCESSION,
DHARNA OR GHERAO BY FARMER ORGANISATIONS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE DEMAND FOR AN INCREASE IN
SUGARCANE PRICES IS CARRIED OUT STRICTLY IN TERMS OF
THE ORDER DATED 01/08/2022 PASSED BY THIS COURT IN WP
NO.5781/2021, ONLY AT A PLACE DESIGNATED BY THE
COMPETENT AUTHORITY, AND NOT WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL
LOCALITY OF MAYURI ESTATE, KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS
UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN
and
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.S.BHARATH KUMAR
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WP No. 32833 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010725992026
ORAL JUDGMENT
(PER: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN)
This writ petition is filed seeking the following relefs:
Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other
appropriate writ, order or direction, directing respondent
Nos.1 to 6 to ensure that any protest, rally, procession,
dharna or gherao by farmer organizations in connection
with the demand for an increase in sugarcane prices is
carried out strictly in terms of the order dated 01.08.2022
passed by this Hon'ble Court in W.P No.5781/2021, only
at a place designated by the competent authority, and not
within the residential locality of Mayuri Estate,
Keshwapur, Hubballi;
b) Direct the respondent No.4 to take stringent measures
to ensure free movement of residents, vehicles and
pedestrians, and unobstructed passage of ambulances,
fire engines and other emergency vehicles and to ensure
that the residential localities are not used for protests and
demonstrations and that the protests are conducted in
designated areas/centres.
c) Direct the respondent authorities to take immediate
measures to ensure that the ensuing demonstration of
farmers to be conducted on October 17th, 2026 is
conducted at a designated area without any disturbance
to the residents of Mayuri Estate, Keshwapur, Hubballi or
in any other residential locality in Hubli-Dharwad.
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2. We have heard the learned Senior counsel
appearing for the writ petitioner as well as the learned
Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents.
3. The grievances raised by the petitioner are that the
residents of Mayuri Estate, Keshwapur, Hubballi are being
denied of their valuable rights under Article 19(1)(d) as well as
Article 21 in view of the protests being conducted in the
residential area. It is contended that the Police is not taking
appropriate steps to see that the protestors do not cause
inconvenience and threat to the residents of the residential
area. It is submitted that Annexure-E representation has been
submitted by the residents before respondents No.1, 2, 5 and
6. It is stated that protests are ongoing and are expected even
today and that appropriate steps have to be taken to see that
the lives and property of the residents of the locality are
protected.
4. The learned Additional Advocate General submits
that the issue of protection of life and property and
maintenance of law and order is gaining the attention of the
respondents and that appropriate steps will be taken to see
that the protests are regulated in such a manner that it does
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WP No. 32833 of 2026
CNR: KAHC010725992026
not create nuisance to the lives or a threat to the properties of
the petitioner.
5. Having considered the contentions advanced, we
are of the opinion that the representation submitted by the
residents of a residential area seeking protection to their life
and property require a proper consideration at the hands of the
respondents.
6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a
direction to respondents No.3 and 4 to consider the Annexure -
E representation preferred by the writ petitioner and to take
appropriate steps to see that the life and property of the
residents of the Mayuri Estate do not face any threat on
account of the apprehended protests.
Sd/-
(ANU SIVARAMAN)
JUDGE
Sd/-
(K.S.BHARATH KUMAR)
JUDGE
RAK
List No.: 3 Sl No.: 4