- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11367 WP No. 4533 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R DEVDAS WRIT PETITION NO. 4533 OF 2026 (KLR-LG) BETWEEN: 1. SRI H M APPASWAMI S/O. LATE. MANJEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, R/AT. KARAGURU VILLAGE, YESLUR HOBLI, VTC UCHHANGI POST, SAKALESHPURA TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 137. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VASANTH KUMAR H.T, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, M.S BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001 2. THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, HEMAVATHI RESERVOIR PROJECT, DC OFFICE BUILDING, HASSAN-573 201. Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11367 WP No. 4533 of 2026 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HASSAN DISTRICT HASSAN 573 201. 4. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER SAKALESHPURA SUB DIVISION, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 134. 5. THE TAHASILDAR, SAKALESHPURA SUB DIVISION, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 134. 6. THE ASST. DIRECTOR OF LAND RECORDS, SAKALESHPURA SUB DIVISION, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 134. 7. THE DEPUTY CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, SAKALESHPURA SUB DIVISION, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 134. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NAVYA SHEKHAR, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.2 TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF THE PETITIONER DATED 23-12-2017 AS PER ANNEXURE E AND F RECOMMENDED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.5 TO GRANT 4 ACRES OF LAND TO THE PETITIONER UNDER THE HEMAVATHI RESERVOIR SCHEME; - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11367 WP No. 4533 of 2026 B) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.2 TO 5 TO GRANT 4 ACRES OF LAND IN SY. NO.65 SITUATED AT KARAGOSORU VILLAGE, YESLURU HOBLI, SAKALESHPURA TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT UNDER THE REHABILITATION SCHEME. 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. 2. The petitioner contends that he lost 1 acre 10 guntas of land in survey No.36/2 of Bembaluru Village, Kenchammana Hoskote Hobli, Alur Taluk, Hassan District, due to submergence of the lands on the establishment of the Hemavathi Reservoir Project. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the State of Karnataka announced certain beneficiary scheme and rehabilitation package for the land users in addition to the payment of compensation. One of the benefits - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11367 WP No. 4533 of 2026 announced for such land users was that they will be given alternative agricultural lands elsewhere in the District. The prayer made in this writ petition is to issue a writ of mandamus to the 2nd respondent Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi Reservoir Project, Hassan to take action on the application dated 23.12.2017 given by the petitioner which is mentioned at Annexure-E for grant of alternative land. 3. This Court in several such petitions has found that lands were granted in terms of the rehabilitation package and thereafter several orders have been passed cancelling the grants for various reasons. Nevertheless, it is an undisputed fact that such rehabilitation package was indeed announced for the project displaced persons. 4. In that view of the matter, the writ petition stands disposed of with a specific direction to the 2nd respondent- SLAO to consider the application given by the petitioner, verify the records and thereafter, pass necessary orders in accordance with law and in accordance with the scheme - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11367 WP No. 4533 of 2026 formulated by the State Government. The entire exercise shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, and at any rate within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5. Learned Additional Government Advocate is permitted to file memo of appearance within a period of four weeks from today. Sd/- (R DEVDAS) JUDGE KS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 7