- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010440632026 NC: 2026:KHC:38261 WP No. 20119 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 20119 OF 2026 (GM-ST/RN) BETWEEN: 1. MR. FELIX LOBO, AGED ABOUT 76 YEARS, SON OF LUIS LOBO, RESIDENT OF SHANTHIBETTU, KARINJE VILLAGE, MOODBIDRI TALUK, D.K DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI VIJETHA PINKY D'SA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNTAKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY, VIDHANA SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-01. 2. DISTRICT REGISTRAR, D.K DISTRICT, MANGALORE, MAIDAN ROAD, BEHIND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, NEAR THE STATE BANK MAIN BRANCH IN BANDAR, MANGALORE -575001. 3. SUB REGISTRAR, SUB-REGISTRAR OFFICE, MAIN ROAD, MOODBIDRI, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010440632026 NC: 2026:KHC:38261 WP No. 20119 of 2026 DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA - 574227. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI MOHAMMED JAFAR SHAH, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE DISTRICT REGISTRAR, D.K DISTRICT TO HEAR AND DISPOSE OF THE PETITION NO.45A(1) MOODABIDRI/15/2019-20 WITHIN 3 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORDER FILED AT ANNEXURE-A AND GRANT SUCH OTHER AND FURTHER ORDERS ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Learned AGA accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 to 3. 2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the reference made under Section 45A of the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 (for short, 'the Act') by respondent No.3 is still pending consideration before respondent No.2 from the year 2019-2020, despite the petitioner having approached the respondent No.2 for expeditious disposal, the same has not happened and in that view of the matter, the - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010440632026 NC: 2026:KHC:38261 WP No. 20119 of 2026 petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: "The petitioner named above humbly prays that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of mandamus directing the District Registrar, D.K. District to hear and dispose of the Petition No.45A(1) Moodabidri/15/2019-20 within 3 months from the date of the order filed at Annexure-A and grant such other and further orders on the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 3. Perusal of subsection (2) of Section 45A of the Act indicates that any reference which has been made under Section 45A(1) is required to be disposed of within 90 days from the date of receipt of such reference. The reference having been made in the year 2019-20 continues to be pending even as on date. In that view of the matter, this Court passes the following: O R D E R (i) Writ petition is allowed. (ii) A mandamus is issued directing respondent No.2 to dispose the petition No.45A(1)moodabidri/15/2019- - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010440632026 NC: 2026:KHC:38261 WP No. 20119 of 2026 2020 within 90 days from the date of receipt of the copy of the order Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE VBS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 12