- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8836 WP No. 2355 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R DEVDAS WRIT PETITION NO. 2355 OF 2026 (KLR-LG) BETWEEN: 1. SRI. MALLIKARJUNA AGED ABOUT 76 YEARS, S/O LATE DODDAIAH, YENNEGADDE, DODDAKODLI, SOMAVARAPETE TALUK, KODAGU – 571 231. 2. SRI. LINGARAJU K.D. AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, S/O LATE DODDAIAH, ENNEGADDE, DODDAKODLI, SOMAVARAPETE TALUK, KODAGU – 571 231. 3. SRI. JAYAPPA K. D. AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, S/O LATE DODDAIAH, VIJAYANAGARA, 2ND STAGE, HASSAN – 573 201. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NATARAJA BALLAL A, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, Digitally signed by PRIYANKA H M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8836 WP No. 2355 of 2026 M.S. BUILDNG, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU – 560 001. 2. THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER HEMAVATHI RESERVOIR PROJECT, D. C. OFFICE BUILDING, HASSAN – 573 201. 3. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER KODAGU DISTRICT, KODAGU, MADIKERI – 571 231. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NAVYA SHEKHAR, AGA) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE RECORDS, DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO GRANT THE BALANCE 6 ACRES OF LAND AS PER THE ORDER BEARING NO. RD 126 AGH 68, BANGALORE DTD. 24.06.1971 (ANNX-C) AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R DEVDAS ORAL ORDER Learned Additional Government Advocate takes notice for all the respondents. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8836 WP No. 2355 of 2026 2. It is the contention of the petitioners that in terms of the scheme of the Government, since the petitioners lost more than 4 acres of land, the petitioners are entitled for 10 acres of alternative lands. However, only 4 acres of land have been given to the petitioners. 3. The grievance of all the petitioners in common is that respondent No.2-Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi Reservoir Project, has failed to consider the applications/representations filed by the petitioners seeking grant of additional alternative lands to and extent of 6 acres in terms of the scheme proposed by the Government for displaced persons. Learned counsel submits that in terms of the representations filed by the petitioners instead for granting land to a total extent of 10 acres, only 4 acres as aforementioned was granted. However, respondent No.2 has not proceeded to act on the recommendation made by the Tahsildar and no additional lands have been allotted to the petitioners although several decades have elapsed after the petitioners have lost their lands. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8836 WP No. 2355 of 2026 4. Having regard to the contentions raised by the petitioners, this Court is of the considered opinion that respondent No.2-Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi Reservoir Project, is required to act expeditiously to clear the applications/representations filed by the petitioners and allot them alternative lands in terms of the scheme proposed by the Government for the benefit of the displaced persons. 5. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2-Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi Reservoir Project, to consider the applications/representation filed by the petitioners and consider the recommendation, if any, already made by the Tahsildar and proceed to grant alternative lands to the petitioners in terms of the scheme of the Government, if the petitioners are eligible for allotment in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Ordered accordingly. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8836 WP No. 2355 of 2026 Learned Additional Government Advocate is permitted to file memo of appearance within a period of four weeks from today. Sd/- (R DEVDAS) JUDGE rv List No.: 1 Sl No.: 8