Karnataka HC Removes 25% Deposit Condition While Land-Compensation Awards Go Back For Fresh Hearing

The appellant, Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama Ltd., was the beneficiary of land acquired by the State from the private respondents but was not impleaded before the Reference Court, which subsequently passed awards.

The appellant challenged those awards by writ petition, arguing that it had not been heard and that the compensation was exorbitant.

The Single Judge set aside the awards and remitted the matters for fresh consideration, but imposed conditions, including a requirement to deposit 25% of the award amount.

The appellant appealed against conditions (iv) to (ix) of the order.

The parties did not object to disposal in terms of a coordinate Bench’s decision in a similar appeal.

The appeal itself was brought under Section 4 of the Karnataka High Court Act, 1961.

It follows the coordinate Bench’s decision in Writ Appeal No. 100476 of 2026, which affirmed the setting aside and remand but set aside conditions (iv) to (ix), directing the Reference Court to reconsider the proceedings afresh in accordance with law.

The Court found the present appeal to be on similar facts to Writ Appeal No. 100476 of 2026, where the coordinate Bench had removed comparable conditions while preserving the remand.

As all parties, including the private respondents, had no objection to disposing of this appeal on the same terms, the Court adopted that approach: it left intact the setting aside of the awards and the remand, but removed conditions (iv) to (ix) so the Reference Court could determine the matters afresh in accordance with law.

The parties were directed to appear before the Reference Court on 26 November 2026, without awaiting further notice, and to cooperate in expeditious disposal. Pending interlocutory applications were also disposed of.