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Karnataka High Court

Sri M Sudhakar Pai vs The Special Land Acquisition Officer ... on 8 January, 2026

Author: M.Nagaprasanna

Bench: M.Nagaprasanna

                           1




      IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

         DATED THIS THE 08TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026

                          BEFORE

         THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. NAGAPRASANNA

         WRIT PETITION No.15919 OF 2025 (LA - RES)


BETWEEN:


1 . SRI M.SUDHAKAR PAI
    S/O LATE M.KOGGANNA PAI,
    AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS,
    ADVOCATE-HIGH COURT,
    NO.1080, 1ST FLOOR,
    12TH CROSS,
    KODANDARAMAPURAM,
    MALLESHWARAM,
    BENGALURU - 560 003.

2 . SRI M.NARAYANA PAI
    S/O LATE M.KOGGANNA PAI,
    AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS,
    P.O. MANI - 574 253
    BANTWAL TALUK (D.K.)
                                             ... PETITIONERS


(BY SRI D.R.RAVISHANKAR, SR. ADVOCATE A/W
    SRI KETHAN KUMAR, ADVOCATE)
                               2



AND:

1.     THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER
       AND COMPETENT AUTHORITY
       NATIONAL HIGHWAY - 75 (48),
       HASSAN, B.C.ROAD DIVISION,
       NO.HIG-64, D.T.D.C. COURIER OFFICE BUILDING,
       1ST FLOOR, K.H.B. COLONY, CHANNAPATTANA,
       OPP. NEW K.S.R.T.C. BUS STAND,
       HASSAN - 573 201
       (COMPETENT AUTHORITY UNDER
       NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA)

2.     THE PROJECT DIRECTOR
       NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA,
       P.I.U, MANGALURU,
       DOOR NO.3-29, "BETHEL",
       THARETHOTA,
       NEAR PUMPWELL (NH-66)
       MANGALURU - 575 002 (D.K.)
                                              ... RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI BIDAN CHANDRA, ADVOCATE FOR
    SRI PADMANABHA HOLLA S., ADVOCATE)



       THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND
227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE
ENDORSEMENT DTD-02.05.2025 IN NO. SLAO / NHAI / AWARD /
DK.22B / MANI / 2024-25 ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.1 THE
SPECIAL     LAND   ACQUISITION    OFFICER    AND   COMPETENT
AUTHORITY, NATIONAL HIGHWAY -75(48), HASSAN, B.C.ROAD
DIVISION,    HASSAN   (VIDE   ANNEXURE-Q);    DIRECTING   THE
RESPONDENT NO.1/ THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER
                               3



AND   COMPETENT      AUTHORITY,     NATIONAL   HIGHWAY-75(48),
HASSAN, B.C.ROAD DIVISION, HASSAN TO PASS AN AWARD
FORTHWITH IN FAVOUR OF PETITIONER NO.(1), IN RESPECT OF A
LAND MEASURING 384 SQ.MTRS IN SY.NO.128/8B1 OF MANI
VILLAGE, BANTWAL TALUK(DK), IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS OWN
ENDORSEMENT IN NO. SLAO/NHAI/HSN/OTHER-8/2022-23 DTD-
25.04.2022 (VIDE ANNEXURE-J TO W.P.) AND ALSO PASS AN
AWARD FORTHWITH IN FAVOUR OF PETITIONER NO.(2), IN
RESPECT OF A LAND MEASURING 425 SQ.MTRS IN SY.NO.128/18
OF MANI VILLAGE, BANTWAL TALUK(DK), IN ACCORDANCE WITH
HIS OWN ENDORSEMENT IN NO. SLAO/NHAI/HSN/OTHER-7/2022-
23 DTD-25.04.2022 (VIDE ANNEXURE-K TO W.P.) AND ALSO
PURSUANT     TO    THE   REPRESENTATION    DTD-08.04.2025(VIDE
ANNEXURE-P    TO    W.P.)    WITH   ALL   STATUTORY    BENEFITS,
INTEREST,   ETC.   ETC.,    ACCRUING   THEREFROM;     C)   DIRECT
RESPONDENT NO.1 TO PAY COSTS TO THE PETITIONERS FOR
MEDDLING WITH THEIR PROPERTY RIGHTS.




      THIS WRIT PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED
FOR ORDERS, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, THE
COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:-
                                      4



CORAM:      THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA

                               CAV ORDER


      The petitioners are before this Court calling in question

endorsement dated 02-05-2025 issued by the 1st respondent/

Special Land Acquisition Officer and the Competent Authority,

National    Highways,     whereby        the    claim   for   enhancement   of

compensation comes to be rejected and as a consequence thereof,

the petitioners have sought a direction by issuance of a writ in the

nature     of   mandamus       directing        grant   of    enhancement   of

compensation to the land that is utilized beyond the acquired area.



      2. Facts, in brief, germane are as follows: -


      2.1. Land measuring 1 acre 86 cents in Sy.No.128/8B1 at

Mani Village, Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District was allotted

to the petitioners and their father. The petitioners are brothers. All

the statutory and revenue entries stood in the names of these

petitioners     right   from   the       year    1988-89.     On   24-05-1997

Sy.No.128/8B1 becomes the subject mater of partition through a

partition deed between the petitioners and their father. Land in
                                  5



Sy.No.128/8B1A measuring 1 acre 26 cents comes to the share of

the 1st petitioner and land in Sy.No.128/8B1B measuring 60 cents

comes to the share of the 2nd petitioner.



      2.2. When things stood thus, a replotting order comes to be

passed by the Deputy Director of Land Records, Mangalore ('DDLR')

in the light of some discrepancy in the description of property. Then

comes the activities of the National Highways Authority of India to

widen the road or drawing of a four lane road in NH-48 in Mani

Village of Bantwal Taluk. In furtherance of the said activity, a

preliminary notification comes to be issued under Section 3A(1) of

the National Highways Act, 1956 ('the Act' for short) calling for

objections from all stake holders. Joint measurement surveys of

notified lands were conducted and later a final notification comes to

be issued under Section 3D(1) of the Act on 01-09-2020. Land

measuring 324 sq.mts. in Sy.No.128/8B1A and land measuring 809

sq.mts. in Sy.No.128/8B1B were acquired under Section 3D(1) of

the Act. Land in Sy.No.128/8B1A was categorized as private non-

agriculture   land,   whereas   the   land   in   Sy.No.128/8B1B   was

categorized as Government kharab in the said notification.         The
                                  6



petitioners filed their objections of such categorization contending

that 708 sq.mts. of land was utilized in Sy.No.128/8B1A and 425

sq.mts. of land was utilized in Sy.No.128/8B1B which was not found

in the notification.



      2.3. The 1st respondent/SLAO passed an award under Section

3G(1) of the Act determining compensation payable for the

acquired land. In terms of the award, no compensation was

awarded for the land in Sy.No.128/8B1B, since it was declared to

be a Government kharab land and the land was to be handed over

to NHAI free of cost. Detailed compensation determination was also

drawn. The petitioners then submit individual representations to the

respondents contending that their lands have not been surveyed

properly   and    petitioners   were   given   meager   amounts   as

compensation on the aforesaid score.



      2.4. The 1st respondent/SLAO sought to resolve the dispute

which resulted in an endorsement that the lands would be

re-surveyed, since re-plotting order in favour of the petitioners was

not considered while determining compensation. The resurvey was
                                  7



done and it was found that re-plotting was done in respect of

Sy.No.128/8B1B      subsequent       to   the   preliminary    and   final

notifications in terms of a mutation order. The 1st respondent/SLAO

issued an endorsement stating that as per the replotting done, the

land utilized of the petitioners is more than the extent of land that

is acquired and as such, 1st petitioner is entitled for a compensation

of the remaining land to an extent of 384 sq. mtrs. and 2nd

petitioner is entitled to an extent of 425 sq. mtrs.          Accordingly,

requested the petitioners not to object for surrendering of their

lands and the petitioners have accordingly surrendered their lands.



      2.5. The petitioners then submit a representation claiming

compensation for 21 cents of land which was claimed to be utilized

beyond 324 sq.mts. which comes to light on a survey being

conducted on 25-09-2023 and the claim remained as claim, as the

said claim was turned down by the impugned endorsement. It is the

aforesaid action of denial of compensation to the acquisition of land

in its entirety that has driven the petitioners to this Court in the

subject petition.
                                   8



      3. Heard Sri D.R. Ravishankar, learned senior counsel

appearing for the petitioners and Sri Bidan Chandra, learned

counsel appearing for the respondents.



      4. The learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners

contends that the impugned endorsement is contradictory to the

previous endorsements issued by the SLAO. Awards would be

passed in order to adequately compensate the petitioners.            The

endorsement dated 25-04-2022 did assure that the petitioners

would be compensated.            Based on the said assurance, the

petitioners had surrendered their lands. The respondents have fully

utilized the lands of the petitioners and now they cannot deny

compensation after such utilization.          The reasoning to deny

appropriate compensation for the lands utilized is erroneous, as

re-plotting   of   the   lands   was   done   long   before   preliminary

notification and obviously before the final notification. Therefore, he

seeks quashment of the endorsement and issuance of mandamus

directing payment of appropriate compensation for the lands

acquired.
                                 9



      5. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the respondents

would contend that the writ petition is not maintainable, as there is

an alternative remedy under Section 3G(5) of the Act. The learned

counsel submits that if the land owners are not satisfied with the

amount determined by the Competent Authority, the dispute will

have to be resolved by the Arbitrator appointed under the Act. It is

his contention that the petitioners have unlawfully re-plotted the

notified land after issuance of notifications under Section 3A and 3D

of the Act and replotting was conducted without prior intimation or

approval from the Authorities. Therefore, the petitioners cannot be

granted enhanced compensation. Insofar as Sy.No.128/8B1B is

concerned, it is a Government Kharab land and no right is conferred

upon the petitioners on such land. Therefore, compensation cannot

be granted for the said land.



      6. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions

made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the

material on record. In furtherance whereof, the issues that fall for

consideration are:-
                                   10



      (i)    Whether the writ petition would be maintainable in the
             teeth of alternative remedy available under Section
             3G(5) of the Act?


      (ii)   Whether the impugned endorsement suffers from non-
             application of mind and the petitioners would become
             entitled   to   enhanced   compensation   for   the   lands
             acquired?



ISSUE NO.1:

      Whether the writ petition would be maintainable in the

teeth of alternative remedy available under Section 3G(5) of

the Act?


      7. The contention is that the present writ petition is not

maintainable, as an alternative statutory remedy under Section

3G(5) of the Act is available to these petitioners.     Section 3G(5)

reads as follows:

          "3-G. Determination           of   amount    payable     as
      compensation:
          ...             ...                        ...

             (5) If the amount determined by the competent authority
      under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) is not acceptable to
      either of the parties, the amount shall, on an application by
      either of the parties, be determined by the arbitrator to be
      appointed by the Central Government."
                                      11



Section 3G(5) directs that if the amount determined by the

Competent Authority under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) is not

acceptable to either of the parties, the said action be determined by

the Arbitrator to be appointed by Government of India.                       The

interpretation of this sub-section need not detain this Court for long

or delve deep into the matter. The High Court of Punjab And

Haryana answers an identical plea taken by the NHAI in the case of

NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA v. RESHAM

SINGH1 wherein the High Court holds that a writ petition would be

maintainable     despite    existence of alternative remedy                in the

following paragraphs:

                                      "....    ....     ....
              Point (b):

              40. We shall next consider point (b) which is as under:

                      "(b) Whether the landowners should be denied
              relief on the ground that they did not challenge the
              award of the competent authority under the National
              Highways Act, 1956 by way of arbitration under section
              3G(5) of the said Act and had directly filed writ petition
              in this Court for seeking benefits of section 23(1-A),
              section 23(2) and section 28 of the Land Acquisition Act,
              1894?"

              41. In the context of contractual disputes between
        parties of whom one of them is a State or a State
        instrumentality, in spite of the contract containing an
        arbitration clause, the Supreme Court had held that such
1
    2023 SCC OnLine P & H 7228
                           12



a clause is not a bar to the exercise of jurisdiction under
Article 226 of the Constitution of India by High Courts.

      42. In Harbanslal Sahnia v. Indian Oil Corporation
Ltd., the petitioner's dealership was terminated by the
respondent-Corporation for an irrelevant and non-
existent cause. The Supreme Court held that they should
have been allowed relief by the High Court itself instead
of being driven by the High Court to arbitration
proceedings. The Court held that the rule of exclusion of
Writ jurisdiction because of availability of an alternative
remedy is a rule of discretion and not one of
compulsion; and in an appropriate case, in spite of
availability of alternative remedy the High Court can still
exercise its Writ jurisdiction, i.e., where the Writ petition
seeks enforcement of fundamental rights or where there
is a failure of principles of natural justice or where the
orders or proceedings are wholly without jurisdiction or
the vires of an Act is challenged.

      43. This was reiterated in Ram Barai Singh and
Co. v. State of Bihar wherein the Supreme Court declared
that a constitutional remedy by way of a Writ Petition is
always available to an aggrieved party and an arbitration
clause in an agreement between the parties cannot ipso
facto render a Writ Petition "not maintainable".

       44. Recently, in Unitech Ltd. v. Telangana State
Industrial Infrastructure Corporation the Supreme Court
held that recourse to jurisdiction under Article 226 of
the Constitution of India is not excluded altogether in a
contractual matter; and a public law remedy is available
for enforcing legal rights subject to well settled
parameters. It relied on the decision in ABL International
Ltd. v. Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India17 and
held that jurisdiction under Article 226 is not excluded in
contractual matters and the presence of an arbitration
clause within a contract between a State instrumentality
and a private party has not acted as an absolute bar to
availing the remedies under Article 226. It declared
that if    the   State   instrumentality     violates   the
constitutional mandate under Article 14 to act fairly and
reasonably, relief under the plenary powers of the
                              13



Article 226 of the Constitution can be granted. It quoted
the following passage in ABL International (17 supra):

              "28. However, while entertaining an objection as
      to the maintainability of a writ petition under
      Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the court should
      bear in mind the fact that the power to issue prerogative
      writs under Article 226 of the Constitution is plenary in
      nature and is not limited by any other provisions of
      the Constitution. The High Court having regard to the
      facts of the case, has a discretion to entertain or not to
      entertain a writ petition. The Court has imposed upon
      itself certain restrictions in the exercise of this power.
      (See Whirlpool        Corpn. v. Registrar     of     Trade
      Marks18.) And this plenary right of the High Court to
      issue a prerogative writ will not normally be exercised
      by the Court to the exclusion of other available remedies
      unless such action of the State or its instrumentality is
      arbitrary and unreasonable so as to violate the
      constitutional mandate of Article 14 or for other valid
      and legitimate reasons, for which the Court thinks it
      necessary to exercise the said jurisdiction."

                                        (emphasis supplied)

      45. In the instant case, the NHAI contends that in view of
the remedy of arbitration contained in section 3G(5) of
the National Highways Act, 1956 to challenge the award of
compensation made by the competent authority under section
3G(1) of the said Act, this Court ought not to have entertained
the writ petitions filed by the landowners whose lands were
acquired under the said Act.

       46. We have already noted that a Division Bench of this
Court in a judgment delivered on 28.03.2008 in Golden Iron and
Steel Forgings (1 supra) held that landowners, whose lands are
acquired under the National Highways Act, 1956, are entitled to
solatium and interest in terms similar to those contained in
section 23(2) and section 28 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

      47. This was challenged by the NHAI before the Supreme
Court, but the Supreme Court, in Civil Appeal No. 10695 of
2011, did not grant any stay of the said judgment.
                            14



       48. Only on 03.08.2017, Civil appeal No. 10695 of 2011
filed against the decision of this Court in Golden Iron and Steel
Forgings (1 supra) was disposed of in terms of a settlement
entered into between the parties.

      49. Thus, the decision of this Court in Golden Iron and
Steel Forgings (1 supra) was holding the field between
28.03.2008 and 03.08.2017.

       50. The decision in Golden Iron and Steel Forgings (1
supra) was later specifically upheld by the Supreme Court
in Tarsem Singh (2 supra) on 19.09.2019 (at para 48).

      51. The Supreme Court in Sunita Mehra v. Union of
India had taken the view that solatium and interest
should be granted to landowners whose land is acquired
under     the National  Highways    Act,   1956 whose
proceedings are pending on 28.03.2008 when this High
Court pronounced the judgment in Golden Iron and Steel
Forgings (1 supra).

      52. Though the NHAI was a party to the said
decisions and the principle of law laid down in Golden
Iron and Steel Forgings (1 supra) was binding on it, yet
in all the awards passed by the competent authority
under section 3G(1) of the National Highways Act,
1956 in respect of the landowners in the instant batch of
cases, which awards were passed after 28.03.2008 (the
date of the decision in Golden Iron and Steel Forgings (1
supra)) (from April 2008 to 2014), the competent
authority did not follow the said principle and denied
solatium and interest in terms akin to that under
section 23(2) and section 28 of the Land Acquisition Act,
1894 to them.

      53. The competent authority cannot ignore binding
precedents and decide contrary to it. This is patently
arbitrary,     unreasonable     and      violative   of
Article 14 and 300-A of the Constitution of India. This
also results in discrimination among the landowners
whose lands are acquired under the National Highways
Act, 1956.
                                15



           54. Therefore, we hold that since NHAI, a State
     instrumentality, has violated the constitutional mandate
     under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, it is open to
     the landowners to invoke the plenary power of this Court
     under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking
     appropriate relief."
                                                (Emphasis supplied)

The Court allows the petition on the ground that the award passed

by NHAI had not considered the fact that the petitioners were

entitled to solatium and interest in terms of the judgment of the

Apex Court in the case of SUNITA MEHRA v. UNION OF INDIA -

(2019) 17 SCC 672 and UNION OF INDIA v. TARSEM SINGH -

(2019) 9 SCC 304. The Court observes that there cannot be a bar

against a remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

when the State is a party to the contractual dispute and an

aggrieved party can invoke the jurisdiction under Article 226, in the

teeth of an arbitration clause present in the contract. I am in

respectful agreement with what the Punjab and Haryana High Court

has held and following the said judgment, I hold that the present

petition is entertainable, despite the remedy available under

Section 3G(5) of the Act.
                                            16




ISSUE NO.2:


      Whether the impugned endorsement suffers from non-

application of mind and the petitioners would become

entitled to enhanced compensation for the lands acquired?



      8.1. The land of the petitioners was divided into two survey

numbers viz., Sy.Nos.128/8B1A and 128/8B1B measuring 1 acre 26

cents and 60 cents respectively.                     Both the petitioners had

approached the DDLR, Mangalore in Appeal No.68 of 2019-20

seeking replotting of land owing to certain discrepancy. The DDLR

passes an order of replotting on 28-02-2020. The order of

replotting order reads as follows:

                "   ಾ    ಾ ಯವರ ಾಂ ಕ ಸ ಾಯಕರು ಾಗೂ ಪದ           ತ ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ
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                                       17



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ಆ ೇಶ ಸಂRೆ& ಎ.ಎ_.ಎD/107/73.74 ರಂ ೆ 128/821ಎ ಮತು 128/8212 ಎಂದು ಕ ಮSಾd 1.46
ಎ ೆ ಮತು 0.40 ಎ ೆ ಎಂದು Bಾ`ಂa ಆdರುವ Jಷಯವw              hದು ಬಂ?ರುತ ೆ. ಸ? Bಾ`ಂa ಆದ
ನ{ೆಯು XಾP?ೕ%ಾನುಭವ ಮತು ಭೂಪ ವತ#%ೆ ನ{ೆMೆ Jರದ|Sಾdರುವwದ ಂದ ಸ? ದುರ0 ಕ ಮವನು,
ರದುW ಪ[0         ೊಸ ಾd Bಾ`ಂa 3ಾ[ ೊಡyೇ ಾd HೕಲIನJ ಾರರು ತಮI HೕಲIನJಯ\
 ೇh ೊಂ[ರು ಾAೆ.
                                            18



                Hೕ\ನ ಎ ಾ Jಷಯಗಳನು, ಪ @ೕ\ಸ ಾd ಬಂLಾPಳ                  ಾಲೂಕು 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ
      ಸ.ನಂ.128/821 ರ\ ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ ಸ ಾಯಕ             ೇಶಕರು ಮಂಗಳ/ರು ಉಪJ]ಾಗ ಇವರ ಆ ೇಶ
      ಸಂRೆ& ಎ.ಎ_.ಎD/107/73.74 ರಂ ೆ ಸ.ನಂ.128/821ಎ ಮತು 128/8212 ಎಂದು Jಂಗ[ಸ ಾದ
      Bಾ`ಂa       ನ{ೆಯು   XಾP ೕ%ಾನುಭವ ೆf    Jರುದ|Sಾdರುವwದ ಂದ       ಸ?    ದುರ0     ಕ ಮವನು,
      ರದುWಪ[ಸುವwದು ಸೂಕSೆಂದು ಮನಗಂಡು ಈ ೆಳdನಂ ೆ ಆ ೇಶ 3ಾ[ ೆ.
                                            ಆ ೇಶ

                ಪ Xಾವ%ೆಯ\     Jವ 0ದ        ಾರಣಗhಂ ಾd         HೕಲIನJಯನು,         ಪwರಸf 0 ೆ.ೆ
        ಾ       ಾ ಯವರ     ಾಂ ಕ ಸ ಾಯಕರು      ಾಗೂ ಪದ          ತ ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ ಉಪ         ೇ#ಶಕರು,
                                                                                   ೇ#ಶಕರು
      ( ೆಚುvವ    ಪ ]ಾರ)
                   ]ಾರ ದ)ಣ ಕನ,ಡ       ೆ ಮಂಗಳ/ರು,
                                        ಮಂಗಳ/ರು 2. ೆ.ಕುಸು3ಾಧರ
                                                   ೆ ಕುಸು3ಾಧರ ಆದ %ಾನು ಕ%ಾ#ಟಕ
      ಭೂಕಂ ಾಯ       ಾZW 1964ರ
                            ರ ಕಲಂ 49(ಎ
                                     ಎ) ಮತು 25 ರ ಅ[ಯ\ ದತSಾದ ಅ                      ಾರವನು,
      ಉಪ•ೕd0 ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ ಸ ಾಯಕ               ೇ#ಶಕರು ಮಂಗಳ/ರು ಉಪJ]ಾಗ ಇವರ ಆ ೇಶ ಸಂRೆ&
      ಎ.ಎ_.
        ಎ_.ಎD /107/73.74 ರಂ ೆ ಸ.
                              ಸ.ನಂ 128/8821 ರ\ 128/8 21ಎ
                                                     21ಎ ಮತು 128/82
                                                                  212 ಎಂದು Bಾ`ಂa
      3ಾ[ರುವwದು ಕ ಮಬದ|Sಾdಲ ೇ ಇರುವwದ ಂದ ಸ? ದುರ0 ಕ ಮವನು, ರದುWMೊh0 ೆWೕ%ೆ ಾಗೂ
      ಪ ಕರಣ ೆf ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ€ ಎ ಾ x ಾಸ• ಾರ Mೆ            ಳTವh ೆ   ೕ[ ೊಸ ಾd ಅಳ ೆ ಮತು ದುರ0
      ಾಯ# ಜರdಸಲು ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ ಸ ಾಯಕ                ೇ#ಶಕರು ಬಂLಾPಳ ಇವ Mೆ ಆ ೇ@0 ೆ.ೆ

                ಈ ಆ ೇಶವನು, ಉಕ ೇಖನ    ೕ[ ಪ ಷf 0 ಈ ?ನ ?%ಾಂಕ:
                                                      ?%ಾಂಕ 28.02.2020 ರಂದು ಮುಕ
      %ಾ&'ಾಲಯದ\ ಬxರಂಗSಾd ‚ೂೕƒ0 ೆ."
                               ೆ."


                                                               (Emphasis added)


In terms of replotting, the correct measurement land belonging to

these petitioners, as depicted in the deed of partition, comes about.

Five months thereafter, on 07-07-2020, a preliminary notification

comes to be issued by the NHAI under Section 3A(1) of the Act.

Insofar lands of the petitioners are concerned, land measuring 324

sq.mts. in Sy.No.128/8B1A and land measuring 809 sq.mts. in

Sy.No.128/8B1B were notified for acquisition.                      Joint measurement
                                   19



survey of the notified lands was also conducted after 14-07-2020,

the result of which is issuance of a final notification under Section

3D(1) of the Act on 01-09-2020. In the said final notification 324

sq.mts. and 809 sq.mts. in Sy.No. 128/8B1A and Sy.No.128/8B1B

were acquired, but the land in Sy.No.128/8B1B was categorised as

Government kharab. Thus, compensation for kharab land was not

determined.



     8.2.     The   petitioners     then   submit   their   individual

representations on 09-10-2021 contending that lands belonging to

the petitioners were acquired way beyond the notified area and,

therefore, sought compensation. A communication is sent to the

petitioners on 13-10-2021 which reads as follows:


     "No.:17016/1/2021/PIU(Mingir)/ 217              13th Oct 2021

     TO
     The Competent Authority &
     Special Land Acquisition Officer,
     Hassan.

     Sub: Four Janing of Addahole (near Gundya) (Existing Km
          263.), Design Ch:255+73 to Bantwal cross (Existing Km
          328+) Design Ch:318+755 section of NH-75 (old NH-48)
          in the State of Karnataka:
                                 20



            - Request for payment of compensation in respect of land
            acquired in Sy. No. 128/8B1 of Mani Village, Bantwal
            Taluk, Dakshina Kannada - Reg.

     Ref:   1) Representation dated 09.10.2021 of Sri. M Narayana
            Pai S/o Late Kogganna Pai, Mani Village, Bantwal Taluk,
            DK District.

            2) Representation dated 09.10.2021 of Sri. M Sudhakara
            Pal S/o Late Kogganna Pai, Mani Village. Bantwal Taluk,
            DK District.

     Sir.

             Please find herewith a representations cited (1) & (2)
     above in original with all attachments for ready reference. The
     letter is addressed to you and a copy of the same is received in
     this office.

     2.    In this regard, you are requested to look into the
     captioned issue mentioned in the petition and resolve the issue
     in accordance with provisions of law, urgently. After taking
     appropriate action, you are also requested to issue suitable
     endorsement to the petitioners. A copy of such endorsement
     may be sent to this office for information.

     Thanking you,

                                             Yours faithfully.
                                              Sd/- 13/10/21

                                        [Col AK Janbaz (Retd)]
                                      GM (Tech) & Project Director
                                           PIU-Mangalore"

The petitioners were asked to keep all the attachments and

documents     ready    for   consideration    of    determination       of

compensation. Thereafter, an endorsement comes to be issued on

18-11-2021. It reads as follows:
                                    21



"ಸಂRೆ&:JQೇಷಭೂXಾP ೕ%ಾ      ಾ ಗಳT( ಾ)ಇತAೆವxಸಂRೆ&:18/2020-21.              ?%ಾಂಕ:18/11/2021

                                        xಂಬರಹ
                                        ***()***

         Jಷಯಃ ಬಂLಾPಳ ಾಲೂಕು, Jಟ ೋಬh, 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821,
                  128/18 ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ೆ'ಾದ J0ೕಣ#ದ ಆ{ೇಪeೆ ಬMೆE.

         ಉ ೇಖ: 1) 3ಾನ& •ಜ%ಾ              ೇ#ಶಕರು, Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ         ೆ ಾW    Bಾ    ಾರ
                  ಮಂಗಳ/ರು ಇವರ ಪತ ಸಂRೆ&: 15.11.2021 (@gmail.com)

                  2) ಸುGಾಕರ Bೈ 2D ೊಗEಣFBೈ & @ ೕ.ಎಂ.%ಾAಾಯಣ Bೈ 2D
                  ೊಗEಣF Bೈ ಇವರ ಅ # ?%ಾಂಕ::09.10.2021.

                                     ***()***

         Hೕಲfಂಡ Jಷಯ ೆf ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ€ಂ ೆ ಉ ೇಖನ ಪತ ದ\ ಾK0ರುವ ಅ # ಾರರುಗhMೆ
ಈ ಮೂಲಕ     hಯಪ[ಸುವw ೇನಂದAೆ,      ೕವwಗಳT 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821, 128/18 ರ\
Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ    ೆ ಾW    75 ೆf   ೆಚುvವ 'ಾd ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ೆ'ಾದ J0ೕಣ#ದ\ ಸಂಶಯ ವ&ಕಪ[0
Hೕ ಾ     ಾ ಗhMೆ    ಮರುಸSೆ#    3ಾ[0 ೊಡyೇ ೆಂದು            ೋ ರುವwದು     ಸ ಯŠೆ€.     ಈ   ಬMೆE
ಕNೇ ಯ\ರುವ        ಾಖ ೆಗಳನು, ಪ @ೕಲ%ೆ 3ಾಡ ಾd ಭೂ3ಾಪಕರು ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ೆಯ ಬMೆE
ತ'ಾ 0ದ ನ{ೆ ಮತು J0ೕಣ# ಕ ಮಬದWSಾdರುತ ೆ. ಈ ‹ದಲು ನSೆ# ಇ ಾRೆಯ ಆ ಾ;ಬಂŒ
ಪ ಾರ     3ಾK      Mಾ ಮದ    ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821ಎ         1.46    ಎಕAೆ   ಖುƒf     xಡುವh'ಾdದುW,
ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/8212 0-40 Xೆಂ•Ž 'ಎ' ಖAಾ2ನ\              ಾಖ\ರು ೆ. ಕಂ ಾಯ ಇ ಾRೆ'ಾದ ಆ;
`0ಯನು, ಪ @ೕ\0 ಾಗ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821ಎ 1.86 ಎಕAೆ ಇದುW                    ಮIಗಳ        ೆಸ ನ\ರುತ ೆ.
ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/8212 0.07 Xೆಂ•Ž ಎಂಬುದು ೊಸ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/822 ಎಂದು ನ{ೆಯ\ಯು ಮತು
ಆ;`0ಯ\ ಬಂ?ರುತ ೆ. ಈಗ           ೕವw ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/8212 ರ 0.40 Xೆಂ•Ž, ಖAಾಬು J0ೕಣ#
ಸ ಪ[0 ೊಳcಲು ಕಂ ಾಯ ಮತು ಸSೆ# ಇ ಾRೆಯ ‹Aೆ ೋd ಭೂ ಾಖ ೆಗಳ ಉಪ                             ೇ#ಶಕರು,
ಮಂಗಳ/ರು ಎ6ಯುಆ; ಅ•ೕಲು ನಂ.68/2019-20 ಆ ೇಶದನPಯ 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.
128/821 ೊಸನಂ.128/17, 128/18, ಎಂದು Bಾ`ಂa ಆd ದುರXಾdರುವwದು ಕಂಡುಬರುತ ೆ.

          ೕವwಗಳT ಈ ಕNೇ ಯ\ ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ೆ ಪ ಕರಣ ಾfd gೆ.ಎಂ
                                                gೆ ಎಂ.0
                                                   ಎಂ 0. ತ'ಾ 0ದ ನಂತರ
ಕಂ ಾಯ ಮತು ಸSೆ# ಇ ಾRೆಗಳ\ ನ•ೆ0ದ ನಡವh ೆಯ ಬMೆE ಈ ಕNೇ ಗಮನ ೆf ತರ ೆ ೊಸ ಾd
Bಾ`ಂa 3ಾ[0 ೊಂ[ರುವ ಾರಣ ಈ            ೕ     ವ& ಾ&ಸSಾdರುವwದು Hೕ ೊ,ೕಟ ೆf ಕಂಡುಬರುತ ೆ.ೆ
ಆದW ಂದ ಈ ಕNೇ bಂದ ಮರುಸSೆ#               ಾಯ# 3ಾ[ಸಲು ಉ ೆWೕ@ಸ ಾd ೆ ಮರು ಸSೆ#
                                          22



      ?%ಾಂಕವನು,    ಮMೆ ಮುಂ'ತSಾd          hಸ ಾಗುವwದು,
                                            ಾಗುವwದು ಮರುಸSೆ# ನಂತರ ಈ ಕNೇ bಂದ
      ಅಗತ&JದW\ ಸೂಕ ಕ ಮ ೈMೊಳc ಾಗುವwದು ಎಂದು ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ಮMೆ h0 ೆ."
                                                          ೆ


                                                              (Emphasis added)

It was indicated that the grievance of the petitioners was being

looked into. A notice then comes to be issued on 25-04-2022 which

reads as follows:

      "ಸಂRೆ&:/ಎ6ಎ_ಎಒ/ಎD ೆ"ಎಐ/ ೆ"ಎ6ಎD/ಇತAೆ-8/2022-23               ?%ಾಂಕ:25/04/2022

                                          ಳTವh ೆ ಪತ

              Jಷಯಃ Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW -75 ರ ಅಡ• ೊ-ೆbಂದ ಬಂLಾPಳ ಾ 6 Aೋ-- (Bಾ& ೇ˜-II)
                       J]ಾಗದ\ ರXೆ ಅಗ\ೕಕರಣ ಮತು ಚತುಷ™ಥ ರXೆ ಅ›ವೃ?|Mಾd ಭೂXಾP ೕನ.
                       ಭೂXಾP ೕನ-ಬಂLಾPಳ    ಾಲೂಕು 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂಬ; 128/18 ಮತು
                       128/821 ರ\ನ ೆಚುvವ ಜ    ೕ Mೆ ಪ    ಾರ ೕಡುವ ಕು ತು.

              ಉ ೇಖಃ 1) ಈ ಕNೇ ಸSೆ#ಯ; ವರ? ?%ಾಂಕ:25.04.2022.

                       2) ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ಸಂRೆ&:S.O.2962(E) ?%ಾಂಕ:01-09.2020.

                                                ****()****

              Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ     ೆ ಾW   75 ರ ಅಡ• ೊ-ೆbಂದ ಬಂLಾPಳ ಾ 6 Aೋ--ವAೆdನ
                                                            Aೋ--ವAೆdನ J]ಾಗದ\
     ಭೂXಾP ೕನಪ[ಸಲು ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರವw ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ಸಂRೆ&:
                                        ಸಂRೆ& S.O.2962(E) ?%ಾಂಕ:01-09.2020
                                                          ?%ಾಂಕ
     ರಂ ೆ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ೊರ[0ದುW, ಸ? ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆಯ\ ಒಳMೊಂ[ದW, 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂಬ;
         22 & (128/82
     128/2          21 ಹ-ೇ ನಂ.)
                            ನಂ ರ\ನ 324 ಚದರ             ೕಟ; ಖುƒf ಜ ೕನು ಮತು ಕಟ€ಡಗhMೆ
     ಈMಾಗ ೇ ಅSಾ--#.
             ಅSಾ--# ಆdದುW, ಅSಾ--#ನಂ
                          ಅSಾ--#ನಂ ೆ ರೂ.11,61,932
                                    ರೂ           ಗಳನು, ಈ ಕNೇ bಂದ RTGS
     ಮೂಲಕ ಮMೆ BಾJಸ ಾdರುತ ೆ.ೆ

              3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ\         ಮMೆ Xೇ ದ    ಮI ಜ ೕನು ಸSೆ#ನಂಬ; 128/
                                                                128/82l (ಹ-ೇ
     ನಂ.
     ನಂ.128/
        128/82ಎ)
             2ಎ) ರ\ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ        ೊರ[0ದ ನಂತರ ಇ ೕ'Mೆ
                                                 ೕ'Mೆ ದುರ0'ಾdದುW, ಅದರಂ ೆ       ಮMೆ
     ಪ   ಾರ    ೕ[ರುವ ಜ ೕ dಂತ ಅ ಕ J0ೕಣ#ದ ಜ ೕನು ಭೂXಾP ೕನSಾdರುವw ಾd               h0,
                                                                               h0,
                                         23



       ೕವw ಸ\0ದW ಅ #ಯನು, ಪ ಗK0 ನಮI ಕNೇ         ಸSೆ#ಯ;ರವರು ವರ? ಸ\0ರು ಾAೆ.
                                                                     ಾAೆ. ಅವರ
      ವರ?ಯಂ ೆ     ೆಚುvವ 'ಾd      ಭೂXಾP ೕನSಾdರುವ,
                                       ೕನSಾdರುವ,     3ಾK      Mಾ ಮದ   ಮI   ಜ ನು
      ಸSೆ#ನಂ.
      ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/
             128/821 ರ\ ಅಂ ಾಜು 384 ಚದರ       ೕಟ; J0ೕಣ#ದ ಖುƒf ಜ ೕನು yಾಬು ಸೂಕ ಕ ಮ
      ೈMೊಂಡು @ೕಘ Sಾd ಅSಾ--# ಅಥSಾ ಒ=™Mೆ ಅSಾ--# 3ಾ[ ಪ             ಾರ Bಾವ ಸ ಾಗುವwದು
      ಆದW ಂದ    ೕವw Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ    ೆ ಾW     ಾಮMಾ Mೆ 'ಾವw ೇ ಅಡಚeೆ 3ಾಡ ೆ,ೆ, ಜ ೕ ನ\
      ಾಮMಾ 3ಾಡಲು ಅನುಕೂಲ 3ಾ[ ೊಡyೇ ಾd Jನಂ 0 ೆ.ೆ.


                                                     ಇಂ ತಮI JQಾP0,
                                                       ಸx/-

                                        JQೇಷ ಭೂXಾP ೕ%ಾ    ಾ ಮತು ಸUಮ Bಾ    ಾರ
                                            ]ಾರ ೕಯ Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW Bಾ     ಾರ
                                        Aಾ. ೆ.75(48) ಾಸನ, 2.0.Aೋ-- J]ಾಗ, ಾಸನ"


                                                      (Emphasis added)

It was indicated that suitable award or consent award would be

passed if the petitioners would agree and that the petitioners

should not stop the work that is happening. To both the petitioners'

identical notices were issued.               The petitioners were under the

impression     that   utilised       land    would    be   granted    appropriate

compensation, as the endorsement clearly indicates work should

not   be   stopped     pending         determination       of   enhancement        of

compensation. Though compensation was not enhanced, the work

gets completed.
                                   24



     8.3. A representation then is submitted by the petitioners on

08-04-2025 which reads as follows:

                                                    "Date:08.04.2025
                                  R.P.A.D.

     From,

     1)      M.Sudhakar Pai
             Advocate- High Court,
             S/o. Late. M.Kogganna Pai
             No. 1080, 1st Floor, 12th Cross,
             Kodandaramapuram, Malleshwaram,
             Bengaluru-560 003.

     2)      M.Narayana Pai
             S/o. Late. M.Kogganna Pai,
             Marchant,
             P.O. MANI-574253
             Bantwal Taluk. (DK)

     To,

     1)      The Special Land Acquisition Officer
             and Competent Authority,
             National Highway -75,
             Hassan-B.C.Road Division,
             No.HIG-64, D.T.D.C. Courier Office Building,
             1st Floor, K.H.B.Colony,
             Channapattana,
             Opp. New K.S.R.T.C. Bus Stand,
             HASSAN - 573 201.

     2)      The Project Director,
             National Highway Authority of India,
             P.I.U. Mangaluru,
             Door No.3-29, "Bethel"
             Tharethota, Near Pumpwell(NH-66)
             Mangaluru-575002(DK).

     Dear Sirs,
                            25




      Sub: Our Representation requesting you to pass
           Awards and give compensation in respect of our
           lands,   i.e. Sy.No.128/8B1[measuring      384
           Sq.Mtrs.] belonging to No.1 among us and
           Sy.No.128/18 [measuring Sq.Mtrs.] belonging
           to No.2 among us, both in Mani Village, Bantwal
           Taluk, which lands notified for acquisition for
           widening of Mangaluru-Bengaluru National
           Highway.

      Ref:   (1) Your Office Endorsement dtd:25.04.2022, in
             No./SLAO/NHAI/HSN/OTHER-8/2022-23.

             (2) Your Office Endorsement dtd:25.04.2022, in
             No./SLAO/NHAI/HSN/OTHER-7/2022-23.

                                -----

       With reference to the above subject, your kind attention
is drawn as hereunder;
       Sy.No. 128 measuring 1-86 Acres of Mani Village,
Bantwal Taluk (DK), is our absolute Varga properties inherited
from our parents, by virtue of a registered Partition Deed of the
year 1997. In the said property, an extent of 1-26 Acres belongs
to No.1 among us and an extent of 0-60 cents belongs to No.2
among us, as acquired by us in the said registered Partition
Deed of the year 1997.

       As regards the land belonging to No.1 among us, though
you have acquired land measuring 708 Sq.Mtrs in Sy.No.
128/8B1, you had awarded compensation for only 324 Sq.Mtrs
of land i.e. Rs. 11,61,932/-.

      So also, as regards land belonging to No.2 among us,
though you had acquired a land measuring 425 Sq.Mtrs in
Sy.No.128/18,    you    have    awarded     compensation     of
Rs.35,44,159/- towards building alone and not the land as such.

       In this background, we have approached the D.D.L.R.,
Mangaluru for re-plotting the said lands. The D.D.L.R. has re-
plotted the lands by showing 1-26 Acre of land in Sy.No.128/18
                             26



as that of No.1 among us and 0-60 cents of land in
Sy.No.128/8B1 as that of No.2 among us.

      Thereafter, we had given individual representations
dtd:09.10.2021 to both of you, annexing all the relevant
documents.

      Adverting to it, the Project Director, N.H.A.I., i.e. No.2
among you, has written to the Special L.A.O., i.e. No.1 among
you, on 13.10.2021 to resolve the issue.

       Thereafter, No.1 among you, has given us an
endorsement dtd:18.11.2021 stating that your survey officials
will resurvey the land and do the needful. In fact, in the
resurvey conducted by your officials, they had reported to you
that in fact you have acquired more land than the extent of land
for which you have awarded compensation to both of us.

       As such, you have issued two separate endorsement to us
dtd:25.04.2022 [under Ref. Nos. 1 & 2] wherein you have
assured No.1 among us that you will pass an award for 384
Sq.Mtrs in Sy.No.128/8B1 and assured No.2 among us that you
will pass an award to an extent of 425 Sq.Mtrs. in Sy.No.128/18
and also requesting both of us to surrender the said lands in
question to enable you to carry out the expansion of National
Highway, without any sort of obstruction.

      Believing in your words and anticipating passing of two
awards in our favour at the earliest, we have surrendered our
respective lands voluntarily for your project.

        Thereafter, again, you have, on 01.12.2023, sought
clarification from D.D.L.R. Mangaluru. The DDLR Mangaluru after
concurrence from the ADLR, Bantwal, has reported to you, by
his correspondence dtd: 14.05.2024, positively in favour of us,
with reference to his order of re-plotting of the said lands.

       Thereafter, you have sought Joint Measurement
Certificate from ADLR, Bantwal, who in turn, has submitted it to
you to enable you to pass awards.

      Despite all that, till date you have failed to pass awards in
respect of our lands, as promised by you.
                                          27




               We have been constantly approaching you in this regard.

             For the reasons best known to you, you have failed to
       pass awards and give compensation to us, till date.

             Acquisition of the lands in question is made by you in the
       year 2021, your endorsement giving assurance to us to pass
       awards is of the year 2022. Till date, there is no endeavor on
       your part to pass awards in our favour.

              Our lands in question are commercial lands which are
       already converted. Acquisition made by you, is in the year 2021.
       Keeping all these factors in mind, you are hereby requested to
       pass awards and give compensation to both of us in respect of
       384 Sq.Mtrs in Sy.No.128/8B1 of Mani Village, pertaining to
       No.1 among us and in respect of 425 Sq.Mtrs. in Sy.No.128/18
       of Mani Village pertaining to No.2 among us, within 15 days
       from the date of receipt of this representation, failing which, we
       will be constrained to approach the Hon'ble High Court of
       Karnataka, seeking appropriate direction to you, in this regard,
       at your own risk as to all costs and consequences ensuing
       therefrom. Please Note.

       Thanking you,

                                                         Yours faithfully,

                                                             Sd/-
                                                      (M.Sudhakar Pai)
                                                  No.1 among us for himself
                                                  and also on behalf of No.2"

This   is   met     by    an    endorsement         on   02-05-2025.         The    said

endorsement reads as follows:


       "ಸಂRೆ&::SLAO/NHAI/ ಅSಾ--#/ [ ೆ.22 2/ 3ಾK/2024-25          ?%ಾಂಕ: 02/05/2025

                                           xಂಬರಹ
                                          28




        Jಷಯಃ Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW -75 ರ\ (48) ರ\ ರXೆ ಅ›ವೃ?|/ಚತುಷ™ಥ ರXೆMಾd
                3ಾK ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821 ಮತು ಸSೆ#ನಂಬ; 128/18 ರ\ನ
                ಜ     ೕ Mೆ        ಪ    ಾರ     ೋ        ೕವw     ಸ\0ರುವ         ಅ #
                ?%ಾಂಕ:11.04.2025.

        ಉ ೇಖಃ 1) ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ 3A(1) ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ಸಂRೆ& ಎ6.ಓ.2265(E)
                ?%ಾಂಕ: 07.07.2020.
                2)    ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ 3[ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ಸಂRೆ& ಎ6.ಓ.2962(ಇ)
                ?%ಾಂಕ:01.09.2020.
                3) ೕವw ಈಕNೇ Mೆ ಕಳTx0ರುವ ಮನJ ?%ಾಂಕ:11.04.2025

                                        ****()****

        Hೕ\ನ Jಷಯ ೆf ಸಂಬಂ 0ದಂ ೆ, ಈ ಮೂಲಕ                   ಮMೆ     hಸುವw ೇನಂದAೆ, ದ)ಣ ಕನ,ಡ
    ೆ, ಬಂLಾPಳ ಾಲೂಕು, 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/8212 ರ\ 809 ಚದರ                   ೕಟ; (20 Xೆಂ•Ž)
ಸ ಾ#    ಖAಾ¡ ಜ       ೕ ನ ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ಾfd ಉ ೇಖ (1) ಮತು 2 ರಂ ೆ                  ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರವw
ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ    ೊರ[0ರುತ ೆ. ಸದ             ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆಯ\ ಭೂXಾP ೕನ ೆf ಉ ೆWೕ@ತ ಜ            ೕನು ಸ ಾ#
ಖAಾಬು ಜ    ೕನು ಆdರುವwದ ಂದ ಅSಾ--# 3ಾಡುSಾಗ ಸದ                        ಜ    ೕ Mೆ ಪ    ಾರ   ೕಡಲು
ಅವ ಾಶJಲSಾದW ಂದ ಪ         ಾರ ೆf ಪ ಗK0ಲ.

        ಪ ಸುತ   ೕವw ಸದ        ಜ ೕ ನ ದುರ0 3ಾ[0 ೊಂ[ದುW ಸದ                 ಜ ೕನು ಈಗ Rಾಸd
ಜ ೕ%ಾdರುವwದ
  ೕ%ಾdರುವwದ ಂದ ಪ             ಾರ       ೕಡyೇ ೆಂದು ಉ ೇಖದ ಮನJಯ\             ೋ ರು ೕ . 3ಾK
Mಾ ಮದ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/82
      ಸSೆ#ನಂ      212
                    2 ೊಸಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/82
                      ೊಸಸSೆ#ನಂ      21 ರ\ 384 ಚದರ ೕಟ; ಎಂ.ಸುGಾಕರ
                                                       ಎಂ ಸುGಾಕರ Bೈ
2D ೇ• ೊಗEಣFBೈ ಎಂಬ          ಮMೆ Xೇ ದುW ಅ ೇ      ೕ    ೊಸಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/18
                                                         ೊಸಸSೆ#ನಂ        ರ\ 425 ಚದರ
    ೕಟ; ಎಂ %ಾAಾಯಣ Bೈ 2D ೊಗE¢ಣ Bೈ ಇವ Mೆ Xೇ ರುವw ಾd                     h0 ಸ? ಜ ೕ Mೆ
ಪ    ಾರ ೕಡyೇ ಾd ಉ ೇಖ (3) ರ ತಮI ಪತ ದ\ ೋ ರು ೕ .

        ಈ ಬMೆE ಈ ಕNೇ ಯ\               ಾಖ ೆಗಳನು, ಪ @ೕ\0ದುW, ಉ ೇಖ(1)
                                                              ೇಖ    ಮತು (2) ರಂ ೆ
Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW     ಾZW 1951 ರ ಕಲಂ 3ಎ
                                ಎ(1) ಮತು 3[
                                          [ ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ೊರ[0ದುW
                                                               ೊ ರ[0ದುW,
ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆಯಂ ೆ ಸ ಾ#         ಖAಾಬು ಎಂದು ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆಯ\ ಪ ಕಟSಾdರುತ ೆ.ೆ ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ
ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ನಂತರ         ೕವw ಸದ       ಜ   ೕ ನ ದುರ0 3ಾ[0 ೊಂ[ದುW, 3[
                                                              [(1) ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ನಂತರ
MRT127/2021-22 ?%ಾಂಕ:08.02.2022
               ?%ಾಂಕ            ರಂ ೆ                ಮI   ೆಸ Mೆ        ಾಗೂ MRT130/2021-22
                                        29



     ?%ಾಂಕ:08.02.2022
     ?%ಾಂಕ            ರಂ ೆ ಎಂ %ಾAಾಯಣ Bೈ          ೆಸ Mೆ ದುರ0ಯಂ ೆ Rಾ ೆ'ಾdರುವwದು
      ಾಖ ೆಗhಂದ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ ೆ.ೆ

              Hೕ ೆ Jವ 0ದಂ ೆ ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರ Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW        ಾZW 1956 ರ ಕಲಂ 3ಎ(1) ರಂ ೆ
     Bಾ ಥ    ಕ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ನಂತರ ?%ಾಂಕ:01.09.2020 ರಂ ೆ 3[ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ೊರ[0ದುW, Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ
      ೆ ಾW    ಾZW ಕಲಂ 3[(2) ರಂ ೆ ಸದ    ಪ ಕಟeೆ ?%ಾಂಕ?ಂದ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆಯ\ ಒಳMೊಂ[ರುವ
     ಬಂLಾPಳ    ಾಲೂಕು, 3ಾK Mಾ ಮದ ಹ-ೆ ಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/8212 ( ೊಸಸSೆ#ನಂ.128/821 ಮತು
     128/18)ರ\ ಒಟು€ 809 ಚದರ   ೕಟ; ಜ      ೕನು ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ ಸುಪ?#Mೆ (Vest absolutely in
     the central Government) ಬಂ?ರುತ ೆ.    ೕವw ೇಂದ ಸ ಾ#ರದ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ ನಂತರ ದುರ0
     3ಾ[0 Rಾ ೆ 3ಾ[0 ೊಂ[ರು ೕ          ಆದW ಂದ ಈ ಹಂತದ\      ಮI ೋ    ೆಯನು, ಪ ಗKಸಲು
      ಾನೂ ನ\ ಅವ ಾಶJರುವw?ಲ ಅಲ ೆ Aಾƒ‰ೕಯ ೆ ಾW           ಾZW 1956 ರ\ ಒHI 3[ ಅ ಸೂಚ%ೆ
      ೊರ[0, ತದನಂತರ '['%ೋ`• ೇಷD 3ಾಡಲು ಅವ ಾಶJರುವw?ಲ ಈ Hೕ\ನ ಅಂಶಗhಂದ
       ಮI ಮನJಯನು, ಪ ಗKಸಲು ಅಸ™ದJಲ ಎಂಬ ಅಂಶವನು, ಈ ಮೂಲಕ                     ಮI ಗಮನ ೆf
     ತರ ಾd ೆ."
                                                            (Emphasis added)

The endorsement indicates that mutation entries indicate that

replotting of lands of the petitioners had taken place on 8-02-2022

long after the final notification being issued and, therefore,

enhancement of compensation cannot be considered and the

compensation for the other portion which is said to be kharab, will

not be granted.



     8.4. What would unmistakably emerge from what is quoted

hereinabove is, that the lands of the petitioners have been acquired

beyond the extent found in the notification and compensation is

now denied on a particular score that replotting of land has taken
                                30



place, long after the notification was issued. Yes, a perusal at the

date on which the mutation entry was changed does indicate that

mutation entry was done long after issuance of final notification.

However, the fact remains different. Order of DDLR is noted

hereinabove. 28-02-2020 is the date on which DDLR allows the

appeal filed in Appeal No.68 of 2019-20 which is five months before

the preliminary notification for acquisition. Therefore, the NHAI has

acquired the lands after replotting was done.



     8.5. While it may be the fact that mutation entry had taken

place at a later point in time; that would not mean that replotting

order would begin from 2022. The replotting was being done

pursuant to the order passed by Competent Authority. The

endorsement quoted supra of NHAI accepts this fact with the

assurance that appropriate steps would be taken to redetermine

compensation by passing award or consent award. Now, by the

impugned endorsement, NHAI has done a volte face, which cannot

be countenanced.     The endorsement is further fortified by the

averment in the statement of objections. The statement of

objections at paras 15 to 20 read as follows:
                            31



                           "....    ....     .....

15.   With regard to the averments contained in paragraphs 1,
      2 & 3 the same are formal in nature and matter of record,
      therefore requires no traversing.

16.   With regard to the averments contained in Paragraph 4,
      the same is a matter of record. Without prejudice, it is
      submitted that the DDLR vide order dated 28.02.2020,
      directed the ADLR to issue notice to all the interested
      persons before executing the re-plotting In terms of the
      said order, however, the ADLR has failed to issue such
      notice to the Respondents.

17.   With regard to the averments contained in Paragraph 5
      the same is baseless, devoid of merits and therefore
      denied. It is submitted that in terms of 3A notification and
      subsequent 3D notification dated 07.07.2020 and
      01.09.2020, respectively, the private land to an extent of
      324 Sq. Mtrs in Sy No. 128/B1A and the Government
      Kharab land to an extent of 809 Sq. Mtrs in Sy no.
      128/B1B has been acquired. Further, since the notified
      land in Sy no. 128/B1B is Government Kharab land, there
      is no provision for consideration of the grant of
      compensation for Government land.

18.   With regard to the averments contained in paragraphs 6,
      7 & 8 the same are formal in nature and matter of record,
      therefore requires no traversing.

19.   With regard to the averments contained in Para No.9 &
      10, the same are matter of record. Without prejudice, it is
      submitted that the endorsement issued by the competent
      authority cannot be construed as an order and as such, it
      fails to establish or substantiate the petitioners'
      entitlement to compensation. In the present case, where
      the land acquired in Sy no. 128/B1B is a government
      kharab land, which, by its very nature, does not confer
      any rights upon the petitioners to claim compensation in
      that regard. It is further submitted that the difference in
      the area of land, as claimed by the petitioners, is a result
      of replotting of land in Sy no. 128/B1B that have taken
      place subsequent to the issuance of notifications under
                                   32



            Sections 3A and 3D of the National Highways Act, which
            renders such claims untenable in law.

      20.   With regard to the averments contained in Para No.11,
            the same is a matter of record. Without prejudice, any
            contention made thereunder is denied as devoid of
            merits.

            With regard to the averments contained in Para No.12 &
            13, the same are devoid of merits and thereby denied. It
            is submitted that the DDLR, in his letter, has not provided
            any opinion or recommendation to consider the notified
            government kharab land as private land. Further, the
            DDLR's letter does not substantiate for reclassifying the
            government kharab land, into private property. As per the
            provisions of the National Highways Act, the nature/status
            of the land as on the date of 3A notification is considered
            for the purpose of determination of compensation."

Here again the objections confirm to the endorsement containing

two things viz., replotting is done after the preliminary notification

and replotting happens without prior permission of the NHAI. The

endorsement and the objections if read in tandem, the least one

can say is, it is preposterous.



      8.6. Perhaps the petitioners could not imagine that their lands

would be acquired five months in future to the order of replotting so

as to take the permission of the NHAI. Such frivolous objections are

taken to deny compensation to the land owners whose lands have

admittedly been utilised and compensation denied. Faced with an
                                     33



identical question, this Court in the case of HEERA J SHETTY @

VANITHA J SHETTY v. LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER AND

COMPETENT AUTHORITY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER2, has

held as follows:

                                    "....    ....     ....

               11. The aforesaid is clearly indicative of the fact that, in
        the land of the petitioners, the NHAI have done the drainage
        work, footpath and also installation of lights. The communication
        is not denied by the respondents, but the justification is that,
        this has skipped from acquisition and therefore, it should be
        acquired, by way of compulsory purchase. The representation of
        the petitioners further is that, they are not wanting to sell the
        property, but the compensation to be paid, in terms of the law.
        This is again denied by respondent No.1 holding that as per the
        site condition, the remaining portion of the land, the acquisition
        authority will proceed on requirement basis, and was directed to
        submit a purchase proposal, through consent of the petitioners.

               12. As observed hereinabove, these documents are
        enough circumstance to come to conclusion that the land
        of the petitioners has been utilized by laying a drainage,
        footpath and the street lights. The communication further
        is that, this land ought to have been the subject matter of
        acquisition, but it has become the subject matter of
        utilization, which cannot but be termed to be illegal
        utilization of a private property of a citizen.

              13. It would not behove the status of the National
        Highway Authority of India, to utilise a land and come
        before the Court and contend that they have not utilised
        the land of the petitioners and in future, if they want,
        they would utilise the land by compulsory purchase. This
        is sans countenance.



2
    W.P.No.14786 of 2025 decided on 16-09-2025
                                      34



             14. In the light of the property of the petitioners
        being snatched away by utilisation without paying any
        compensation, the petition deserves to succeed. The
        endorsement dated 25.07.2022, stands quashed.

               15. The respondents - National Highway Authority of
        India is direct calculate compensation, for utilising 0.07.39 cents
        without initiating any acquisition proceedings, in accordance
        with law, within an outer limit of twelve weeks from the date of
        receipt of a copy of the order."
                                                       (Emphasis supplied)



This Court was dealing with an identical circumstance where land

had been utilized without payment of compensation by the NHAI

and had directed that they would acquire the utilized land according

to their need or ask the land owner for compulsory purchase of the

land.    The    contentions   were    repelled   and    compensation     was

directed. In the light of the admitted fact of acquisition of land of

the petitioners beyond what was notified, compensation cannot be

denied.        Therefore, the petition deserves to succeed with a

consequent direction to pay compensation. The issue is accordingly

answered.
                                     35



        9. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: -


                                 ORDER

(i) Writ Petition is allowed.

(ii) Mandamus issues to the respondents to determine the amount of compensation to the utilized lands of the petitioners in accordance with law, by passing suitable award and pay to these petitioners the said amount within an outer limit of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if not earlier.

Sd/-

(M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE Bkp CT:MJ