- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31154 WP No. 25299 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 25299 OF 2022 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SRI SHIVASHANKARAPPA MURAMATTI S/O BASAPPA MURAMATTI AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS OCC-LICENSE SURVEYOR O/O LAND RECORDS ADLR MASKKI, LINGASUGUR TALUK RAICHUR DISTRICT. R/A NINGAPPA KONERI NO.9/4, FLAT 102 BHARATH PRESIDENCY, 2ND BLOCK 2ND MAIN, GORUGUNTA PALYA BANGALORE -560 022. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. BABU RAO M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE COMMISSIONER SURVEY SETTLEMENT AND LAND RECORDS K R CIRCLE BANGALORE-560001. 2. THE DISTRICT TECHNICAL ASSISTANT AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR LAND RECORDS D C OFFICE RAYACHUR RAYACHUR DISTRICT-584 122. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SRINIVAS KUMAR M., HCGP FOR R1 & R2) Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31154 WP No. 25299 of 2022 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER DATED 17.11.2022 PASSED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, I.E, R2 AS PER ANNEXURE-D. DIRECT THE RESPONDENT TO CONTINUE THE LICENSE/RENEW LICENSES TO THE PETITIONER; OR IN ALTERNATIVE DIRECT THE R1 I.E, COMMISSIONER LAND RECORDS TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL FILED BY THE PETITIONER DATED 05.12.2022 AS PER ANNEXURE-H BASED ON THE MERIT AND PASS APPROPRIATE ORDERS. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL ORAL ORDER Petitioner who is a licensee for the purpose of conducting survey having been issued licence in terms of Rule No.46A, B, C of Karnataka Land Revenue Rules, 1966 is before this Court being aggrieved by order dated 17.11.2022 passed by respondent No.2 in terms of which the licence of the petitioner has been suspended with immediate effect. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner drawing attention of this Court to the contents of the impugned order submits that the basis for passing the suspension order is a purported TV report beamed in Big TV news alleging petitioner having received a sum of Rs.1,000/- for the purpose of discharging his - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31154 WP No. 25299 of 2022 duties. That it is based on the said TV news, the respondent No.2 has passed the impugned order. He submitted no notice or enquiry has been conducted. The order therefore suffers from all vices warranting interference. 3. Heard and perused the records. 4. The impugned order indicate that an application was filed by certain Yamanappa, S/o Amarappa requiring survey of his land bearing Sy.No.56/*/4 measuring 2 acres 20 guntas for the purpose of issuance of 11E sketch. That a news in television was flashed alleging that the petitioner herein had received Rs.1,000/- from the said Sri Yamanappa as bribe. Based on the said TV news item and the pictures flashed therein, respondent No.2 has plunged into action and forthwith suspended the licence. 5. The order on the face of it is unsustainable, as suspending the licence based on a report of TV news channel without even issuing notice or conducting any enquiry cannot be countenanced. 6. Petition is disposed of. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31154 WP No. 25299 of 2022 Impugned order dated 17.11.2022 at Annexure -D is quashed. Respondent authority is at liberty to initiate enquiry and proceed strictly in accordance with law. SD/- (M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE SBN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 55