Bharath Kumar v. State of Karnataka

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R DEVDAS WRIT PETITION NO. 9270 OF 2026 (KLR-RES) BETWEEN:

BHARATH KUMAR AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS S/O K BALAKRISHNA RAO PADMANJA, KANIYURU GRAMA, BELTHANGADY TALUK - 574 217. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NITIN A.M, ADVOCATE) AND:

¶1STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION, M.S. BUILDING, B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE - 560 001.

¶2HON'BLE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT MANGALORE - 575 001.

¶3TAHSILDAR BELTHANGADI TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT - 574 214, …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. V. SESHU, HCGP)

by JUANITA THEJESWINI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO A. ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.1 TO 3 PARTICULARLY THE RESPONDENT NO.3 TO CONSIDER AND DISPOSE OF THE PETITIONER-S REPRESENTATION DT.25-03-2024 IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW IE., ANNEXURE-D 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 High Court Government Pleader takes notice for all the respondents.

¶2The prayer in the writ petition is to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent authorities to consider the application seeking grant of the land under ex-servicemen quota.

¶3Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is an ex-serviceman and he has given an application dated 25.03.2024, seeking grant of agricultural

land, more particularly, in Sy.No.193/2 of Kaniyur village, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that it would suffice if a direction is issued to the respondent-authorities to consider the application in accordance with law and pass necessary orders.

¶4Learned High Court Government Pleader submits that recently there has been an amendment to Rule 8 of the Karnataka Land Grant Rules stating that wherever agricultural lands are not available for being granted to ex-servicemen, only a residential site will be allotted.

¶5On hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned High Court Government Pleader and on perusing the petition papers, this Court is of the considered opinion that the respondent authorities are required to consider the application filed by the petitioner. If the petitioner fulfills all the requirement of law and there is no impediment, only then he would be entitled for grant

of agricultural land. Further, as stated by the learned High Court Government Pleader, if there is an amendment brought to the Karnataka Land Grant Rules and if it is found that agricultural lands are not available to be granted in favour of the petitioner in Dakshnina Kannada District, then the authorities shall take into consideration the relevant provisions and then dispose of the application of the petitioner in accordance with law.

¶6Consequently, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the 2nd respondent-Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada District to secure a report at the hands of the 3rd respondent-Tahsildar, Belthangadi Taluk and consider the application filed by the petitioner and pass orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

Ordered accordingly.

Learned High Court Government Pleader is permitted to file memo of appearance within a period of four weeks from today.

Sd/- (R DEVDAS) JUDGE

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