- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF JANUARY 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 112639 OF 2014 (LA-KIADB) BETWEEN: 1. K. KUBERAPPA S/O. K. POMPANNA AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 2. K. SHANMUKHAPPA S/O. K. POMPANNA AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 3. K. DEVENDRA S/O. K.POMPANNA AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 4. MULLANGI SHRINIVASALU S/O. MULLANGI CHINNALINGAPPA, AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 5. SMT. LAXMIDEVI W/O. HANUMANTAPPA AGE: 44 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 6. RAMPURADA PRABHAVATHI W/O. RAMPURADA BASAVARAJ, AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 7. MULLANGI SANNALINGAPPA S/O. MARIBASAPPA AGE: 72 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 8. SMT. B. VENKATAMMA W/O. LATE TIMMAPPA, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 9. B. BASAVARAJ S/O. B. LINGAPPA AGE: 30 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 10. B. ANAND BANNAPUR S/O. B. LINGAPPA, MANJANNA E Digitally signed by MANJANNA E Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD BENCH Date: 2026.01.24 11:28:22 +0530 - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 AGE: 29 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 11. B. GOVINDAPPA S/O. B. LINGAPPA AGE: 34 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 12. B. ESHWARAPPA S/O. SANNAMARIYANNA, AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 13. SMT. TIMMAKKA W/O. SANNAHANUMAYYA, AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 14. SMT. AMBAMMA @ HOLLUR AMBAMMA W/O. MARIYAPPA, AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 15. SMT. GANGAMMA W/O. BOBBANALLA RAM CHANDRAPPA, AGE: 64 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 16. SMT. LAXMIDEVI W/O. HONNURAPPA, AGE: 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 17. ERANNA S/O. SANNAHANUMAYYA AGE: 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 18. SMT. H. RUDRAMMA W/O. DODDA SHANKARAPPA, AGE: 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 19. TIPPANNA S/O. HANUMANTAPPA AGE: 58 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 20. SMT. A. HONNURAMMA W/O. HALAPPA AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 21. NAGALINGAPPA S/O. SANNA SOMAPPA AGE: 59 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 22. KURUGODA RAMANNA S/O. BALAPPA AGE: 74 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 23. SMT. HULIGEMMA W/O. VENKATESH - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 24. DAMMURU GANGADHAR S/O. D. SANJEEVAPPA AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 25. T. VENKATESHAPPA S/O. TIMMAPPA AGE: 72 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 26. SMT. KAMAKSHAMMA D/O. DODDAHULUGAPPA, AGE: 64 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 27. B. BHEEMANNA S/O. LAKSHAMMA AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 28. AJAMAR SHANKAR S/O. A. BAJARAPPA AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 29. P. RAMZANSAB S/O. P. DODDAKARIMSAB AGE: 36 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 30. P. BADASAB S/O. P. DODDAKARIMSAB AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 31. SMT. PARVATAMMA W/O. G. SURYANARAYAN, AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 32. HONNURAPPA S/O. CHIDANANDAPPA, AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 33. POLKI RAMANANJAPPA S/O. RAMAPPA AGE: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 34. D. MALLIKARJUN S/O. LATE SANJEEVAPPA, AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 35. SMT. SHIVAGANGAMMA W/O. KERE HONNURAPPA, AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 36. DAMMUR LAKSHMAN S/O. D. HANUMANTAPPA, - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE. 37. B. KRISHNAYYA S/O. HANUMAYYA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, PETITIONER NO.1 TO 37 ARE THE RESIDENTS OF VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 38. YANA RANGA S/O. RANGAPPA AGE: 47 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 39. SMT. B. RENUKA W/O. RAVINDRA AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 40. G. SHANKARLINGA S/O. MALLIKARJUN AGE: 28 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 41. B. SHEKHAR RAO S/O. NARAYAN RAO AGE: 47 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 42. K.R. VIDHYA D/O. K. RAMAPPA AGE: 33 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 43. SMT. K. VANAJAKSHAMMA W/O. M. BASAVARAJAPPA, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 44. AGASAR HONNURAPPA S/O. AGASAR GADAPPA, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 45. AGASAR NEELAMMA W/O. LAXMAN AGE: 36 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 46. YALLAPPA S/O. HULIGEMMA AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 47. R.T. NAIDU S/O. R. SINGARAPPA AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 48. SMT. M. LALITAMMA W/O. M. NEELAKANTAPPA, AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 49. L. SHIVARAMREDDY S/O. VENKATREDDY AGE: 36 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 50. L. NARAYAN REDDY S/O. VENKAT REDDY AGE: 44 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 51. L. UMMA REDDY S/O. VENKAT REDDY AGE: 46 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 52. SMT. K. SAVITRAMMA W/O. VEERACHARI AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 53. J. NARAYAN S/O. ERAPPA AGE: 64 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 54. SMT. B. SHARADAMMA W/O. BALACHARI AGE: 47 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 55. LOKESH S/O. VENKATESHAPPA AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 56. NAGESH S/O. VENKATESHAPPA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 57. SMT. GANGAMMA @ RAMAKKA W/O. RAM REDDY, AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 58. SMT. P. KALAVATI W/O. PADMANABHARAVU, AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 59. SMT. BHAGYAMMA W/O. RAMANJANEYA REDDY, AGE: 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 60. SMT. P. MALLAMMA W/O. V. V. SHASTRI AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 61. B. KRISHNAYYA S/O. HANUMAYYA AGE: 37 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 62. B. ERANNA S/O. HANUMAIAH AGE: 55 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 63. SAVITRAMMA D/O. MARIYAMMA, AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 64. SMT. BANAPUR SUNKAMMA W/O. SIDDARAMAPPA, AGE: 58 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 65. M. NEELAKANTAPPA S/O. DODDABASAPPA - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 AGE: 71 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR OF BELLARY TALUKA, BELLARY DIST. 66. B. ERAPPA S/O. B. SIDDARAMAPPA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 67. B. HONNURSWAMY S/O. B. SIDDARAMAPPA AGE: 36 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 68. B. PANDURANG S/O. BANAPUR SIDDARAMAPPA, AGE: 22 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 69. SIDDARAMAPPA S/O. BANAPUR ERAPPA AGE: 60 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 70. G. SHREEDHAR S/O. YANGANNA AGE: 45 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 71. G. GIRIDHAR CHOUDHARY S/O. YANGANNA AGE: 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 72. LAKSHMI DEVI @ LAKSHAMMA D/O. BASAPPA AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 73. SUSHEELAMMA D/O. LAXMI DEVI @ LAKSHAMMA, AGE: 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 74. KOLLARAMMA D/O. AMBAKKA AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 75. MALLAYYA HARIJAN S/O. ERANNA AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 76. BILIBAYAPPA S/O. HANUMAKKA AGE: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 77. AMBEKKA D/O. AMBANNA AGE: 65 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 78. B. BANAPUR SIDDRAMAPPA S/O. B. ERAPPA AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 79. D. SEETARAM REDDY S/O. DAMMUR DODDAPPA, AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KUDUTHINI, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 80. SMT. SUBBAMMA W/O. LATE S.A. ANAND AGE: 59 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 81. SMT. JAMEELA B. W/O. SHASHAVALI, AGE: 63 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 82. DANDA HALAGAPPA AGE: 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 83. SANNA HULAGAPPA AGE: 35 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 84. HULIGEMMA AGE: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 85. SMT. D. BASAMMA W/O. DAMMUR MARIBASAPPA, AGE: 52 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 86. D. MARIBASAPPA S/O. D. AYYANAGOUDA, AGE: 59 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 87. D. CHANDRASHEKHAR S/O. D. MARIBASAPPA, AGE: 36 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 88. D. ERAPPA S/O. D. MARIBASAPPA, AGE: 34 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ. AND DIST: BELLARY. 89. D. YERISWAMY S/O. D. MARIBASAPPA AGE: 31 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 90. D. HANUMAPPA S/O. D. MARIBASAPPA AGE: 28 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 91. D. RAMALINGAMMA D/O. D. MARIBASAPPA, AGE: 24 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 92. MULLA BADESAB S/O. LATE HUSEN PEERSAB AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KOLAGALLU, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 93. DODDA HULUGAPPA S/O. HANUMANTAPPA AGE: 68 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. 94. SANNA HULUGAPPA S/O. HANUMANTAPPA, AGE: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: VENI VEERAPUR, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SANJAY S.KATAGERI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA R/BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, VIKAS SOUDHA, BANGALORE-560001. 2. THE C.E.O. AND MEMBER SECRETARY K.I.A. D.B. NRUPATUNG ROAD, OPP. TO RBI OFFICE, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE. 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BELLARY DISTRICT, BELLARY. 4. THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, K.I.A.D.B LAKAMANHALLI, DHARWAD. 5. M/S. BRAHMINI STEELS KARNATAKA LTD., SHIRAGUPPA ROAD, KOLAGALLU VILLAGE, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY-583104, BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 6. M/S. UTTAM GALVA STEELS LTD. KOLAGALLU VILLAGE, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY-583104, CORPORATE OFFICE, NO.69, UTTAM HOUSE, P. DMELLO ROAD, CHINCH BANDRA, MUMBAI, BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PRAVEEN K.UPPAR, AGA FOR R1 AND R3; SRI. VEERESH R.BUDIHAL, ADVOCATE FOR R2, R4 AND R6; NOTICE TO R5 IS SERVED) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.1 TO 6 HREIN TO PASS THE AWARD AMOUNT IN FAVOUR OF THE PETITIONERS HEREIN TO THE EXTENT OF RS.12 TO 16 LAKHS PER ACRE FOR THE ACQUIRED LAND, AS PAID BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN TO THE OTHER LAND OWNERS AS PER THE CONSENT ORDER DATED 10.08.2010 PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE-C HEREIN AND ETC. THIS WRIT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN ‘B’ GROUP THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 ORAL ORDER The petitioners have approached this Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent Nos.1 to 6 to pass an award in their favour fixing compensation at the rate of ₹12 to ₹16 Lakhs per acre for the lands acquired on par with compensation allegedly paid to other land owners pursuant to the consent order dated 10.08.2010 and further to re-determine the market price of the acquired lands under Section 29(2) and 29(3) of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966 (‘Act’ for short). 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the learned counsel appearing for the respondents. 3. The lands belonging to the petitioners were acquired by respondent No.4 under Section 28(1) of the Act, pursuant to thereto, the preliminary notification dated 22.05.2010, followed by the final notification issued under Section 28(4) of the Act on 23.08.2010. A consent award - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 came to be passed on 28.09.2010 where by the petitioners and the other land losers were awarded compensation between ₹5 to ₹8 Lakhs per acre for land acquired for the benefit of respondent No.5. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners vehemently submits that the compensation awarded under the consent award is grossly inadequate and discriminatory, in as much as similarly placed land losers have been paid compensation ranging from ₹12 to ₹16 Lakhs per acre for acquisitions made for similar purposes. It is therefore urged that petitioners are entitled to parity in compensation. 5. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents submits that similarly placed persons had challenged the very same consent award before this Court in the case of R. Hanumappa and Others Vs. State of Karnataka and Others1 (R. Hanumappa). This Court, after due deliberate consideration, dismissed the writ petition holding that once the land owners had voluntarily entered 1 WP No.102843/2017 dated 28.03.2023 - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 into a consent award and accepted compensation, no mandamus could be issued for enhancement of compensation. It is further submitted that the present writ petition suffers from unexplained delay, having been filed nearly three years after acceptance of compensation. 6. This Court has carefully considered the contentions urged and perused the material on record. 7. Annexure-B on record, is the consent award. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner entered into an executed affidavits and indemnity bonds and voluntarily accepted the compensation awarded in the year 2010. Having consciously accepted the terms of the consent award, the petitioners cannot now resile from the agreement and seek enhancement of compensation on the ground that other land losers received higher amounts. This Court in the case of R. Hanumappa, while dealing with an identical issue has categorically held at paragraph Nos.4, 5 and 6 as under; “4. The Division Bench of this Court while dealing with an identical question placing reliance - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 on the judgments of the Hon’ble Apex Court held that the amount of compensation determined between the parties by an agreement as regards the value of the land acquired by state is binding on the land owners. Division Bench has further held that so long as such agreements and consequent consent awards are not set aside in appropriate proceedings by a Court of law having jurisdiction, the consent award would bind land owners unless consent award is declared by Court of law as void or voidable in terms of Indian Contract Act. The Division Bench of this Court further held that a person interested who has signed the agreement without demur cannot approach the High Court by way of writ petition without questioning the validity of the agreement. 5. In the light of the principles laid down by the Division Bench of this Court is of the view that this Court cannot substitute consent award passed by a competent authority. 6. In that view of the matter, the impugned endorsement issued vide Annexure-J is in accordance with law and the same cannot be set aside by this Court. The petitioners have accepted the award voluntarily being a party to an agreement. Therefore, no mandamus would lie and - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:140 WP No. 112639 of 2014 therefore no such directions can be issued as prayed in the captioned writ petition. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed.” Emphasis supplied 8. The said decision squarely applies to the facts of the present case. The petitioners being similarly placed, this Court is of the considered view and no distinguishing feature is demonstrated, for this Court to take a possible different view. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed as devoid of merits. Sd/- JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA PJ/ Ct:VH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 49