- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010617832026 NC: 2026:KHC:48354 WP No. 28124 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 28124 OF 2026 (LA-RES) BETWEEN: RANGASWAMY S/O VENKATARAMANEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, R/AT NAGANAHALLI (MALALIKAVALU) VILLAGE, SHANTHIGRAMA HOBLI, HASSAN TALUK AND DISTRICT - 573 201. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. GIRISH B BALADARE.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REVENUE DEPARTMENT, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560001, REP, BY ITS SECRETARY. 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HSSAN DISTRICT, HASSAN-573 201. 3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER AND LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, VIKASH BHAVAN, HASSAN DIST - 573 201. 4. THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER HEMAVATHI RESERVOIR PROJECT, DISTRICT OFFICE COMPLEX, HASSAN DISTRICT, HASSAN - 573 201 5. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR CAUVERY IRRIGATION CORPORATION LTD, Digitally signed by HEMALATHA J Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010617832026 NC: 2026:KHC:48354 WP No. 28124 of 2026 [CAUVERY NIRAVARI NIGAMA LMT] ANAND RAO CIRCLE, BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.POOJA M KOORSE, HCGP FOR R1 TO R4; SRI.K.S.BHEEMAIAH, ADVOCATE FOR R5) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NOS.4 AND 5 THAT IS, SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, HEMAVATI RESERVOIR PROJECT HASSAN DIST, HASSAN AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAUVERY IRRIGATION CORPORATION LTD, BANGALORE TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION GIVEN BY THE PETITIONER DATED 21-06-2026 AND 12-08-2026 AS PER ANNEXURE-C AND D AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ ORAL ORDER The petitioner has sought for a writ in the nature of mandamus to consider the representations dated 21.06.2026 and 12.08.2026 and to direct the respondent Nos.4 and 5 to pay the compensation. 2. (i) The petitioner claims to be the owner of land in Sy.No.64 of Malalikavalu Village, Shantigrama Hobli, Hassan Taluk, measuring 39 guntas which was acquired for "Kamasamudra 2nd Stage Lift Irrigation Project". The petitioner - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010617832026 NC: 2026:KHC:48354 WP No. 28124 of 2026 contends that the respondent No.4 passed an award determining meager compensation and the petitioner could not seek a reference under Section 18(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (henceforth referred to as ‘the Act, 1894’). However, another landloser had sought enhancement under Section 18(1) of the Act, 1894, where the compensation was determined at a sum of Rs.10,000/- per gunta vide judgment dated 21.06.2013 passed in LAC No.137/2011. Subsequently, similar placed landloser in L.A.C.(Appeal) No.81/2022 sought for enhancement of compensation in respect of a property for the same project and it was thereafter enhanced to Rs.30,000/- per gunta in terms of judgment dated 15.04.2024. (ii) The petitioner submitted a representation seeking benefit of Section 28A of the Act, 1894 before the respondent No.4. The respondent No.4 passed an order dated 24.04.2025 determined the total compensation payable to the petitioner at Rs.21,40,405/-. The respondent No.4 addressed a letter to the respondent No.5 intimating the amount of compensation determined in respect of the land of the petitioner. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010617832026 NC: 2026:KHC:48354 WP No. 28124 of 2026 (iii) Despite the order dated 24.04.2025 and the correspondence between the respondent Nos.4 and 5, the respondents have not taken any steps to pay the compensation. The petitioner therefore submitted a representation dated 12.08.2026 to the respondent Nos.4 and 5 to release the compensation immediately. The petitioner claims that the said representation is not considered and therefore, he is before this Court seeking for a direction to the respondent Nos.4 and 5 to consider the representation and pass appropriate orders. 3. Learned High Court Government Pleader submits that the representation of the petitioner has to be considered by the respondent No.5 and compensation has to be released by the respondent No.5. 4. The learned counsel for the respondent No.5 submits that suitable steps would be taken and if the petitioner is entitled for the compensation, the same would be released in accordance with law. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010617832026 NC: 2026:KHC:48354 WP No. 28124 of 2026 5. In view of the aforesaid submission, the following order is passed: ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed; ii. The respondent Nos.4 and 5 are directed to release the compensation payable to the petitioner in respect of the acquisition of land bearing Sy.No.64 of Malalikavalu Village, Shantigrama Hobli, Hassan Taluk. iii. This shall be complied within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 to 4 and Sri.K.S.Bheemaiah, learned counsel for respondent No.5 are permitted to file memo of appearance within ten days. Sd/- (R. NATARAJ) JUDGE BKN/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 29