Tropical Hampi Operators Can Continue Hotel Operations Under Licence After Karnataka HC Quashes Withdrawal Without a Hearing

The petitioners challenged the Gram Panchayat’s order dated 24 February 2026, which withdrew the licence for their Tropical Hampi hotel/resort and directed them to stop operating.

They sought certiorari to quash that order and, among other reliefs, directions concerning electricity supply and the unsealing of the premises.

Their counsel submitted that the matter was covered by the High Court’s order in W.P. No. 102831 of 2026, in which a similar licence-withdrawal order had been quashed for breach of natural justice.

Administrative action affecting a person’s rights must comply with the principles of natural justice, including a fair opportunity to be heard; an order made without such an opportunity may be unsustainable.

The Court relied on Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, 1978 AIR 597, for the principle that administrative and quasi-judicial action must be “right, just and fair,” and not arbitrary or oppressive.

The reproduced order also linked natural justice to Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution and referred to the petitioner’s right to carry on an occupation under Article 19(1)(g).

The present order applied the relief granted in the earlier writ petition as covering the same lis.

The Court did not separately reassess the evidence concerning notice or the licence.

It held that the present dispute was squarely covered by W.P. No. 102831 of 2026, where the impugned withdrawal had been found to violate natural justice because the notice materials did not establish that the petitioner had received notice and an opportunity to respond.

On that basis, the Court extended the same relief to these petitioners, while making continued operation conditional on compliance with the licence and preserving the authorities’ power to act if unlicensed activities were found.

The petitioners were permitted to continue their business strictly in accordance with the licence; the PDO may take appropriate action if activities outside the licence are found.

The petitioners were directed to appear before the PDO with supporting documents on 30 November 2026, and the PDO was directed to provide an opportunity to produce documents and be heard, then pass appropriate orders within four weeks of their first appearance.

All contentions were left open.