Ganesh S/O Narayanappa Salunke Vs Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2025)

Ganesh S/O Narayanappa Salunke Vs Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No substantive relief granted; petitions dismissed with a clarificatory direction that respondents follow due process of law in acquisition, consider petitioners' objections and provide a hearing if required, including for survey, acquisition and preliminary and final notifications.

Issue for consideration

Whether the impugned order dated 06.11.2023 bearing No. DC.HAV-15022(11/12/2023-HAV-LAQ) passed by respondent No.5 (Deputy Commissioner, Haveri) should be quashed by writ of certiorari. +2 more

Court's answer

Under the circumstances, the Court found no good or cogent reason to interfere with the impugned order or to show indulgence to the petitioners, and accordingly dismissed the petitions.

Ratio / Principle

Upon reconsideration carried out pursuant to this Court's earlier direction, the respondents found no possibility of shifting the railway alignment as suggested by the petitioners, as it would cause hardship and inconvenience to the public at large and entail huge financial expense; the respondents therefore decided to proceed with the alignment as fixed by the Railway Department.

Key takeaways

It is made clear that the respondents shall follow the due process of law while acquiring the properties for laying down the railway line and shall consider the objections, if any, of the petitioners.ratio¶201
A hearing shall be provided to the petitioners, if required, while passing orders relating to survey, acquisition and the issuance of both preliminary and final notifications.ratio¶201

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Four connected writ petitions (GM-RES) by agriculturist landowners of Rattihalli, Kodamaggi Masuru, Tadakanhalli and adjoining villages (Hirekerur taluk, Haveri district) sought (i) certiorari against the Deputy Commissioner, Haveri's order No.DC.HAV-15022(11/12/2023-HAV-LAQ) dated 06.11.2023, (ii) a mandamus to re-survey/change the alignment of the proposed Shivamogga-Shikaripur-Ranebennur railway line at Rattihalli, Yaliwal (Siddapur) and Doddagubbi villages, and (iii) restraint on dispossession. The Railway Board-sanctioned project (2019 sanction ₹994.47 crores; Karnataka GO No.IDD 31 NSW 2017 dated 22.08.2019: ₹956.10 crore plus land cost ₹244.73 crores) was re-examined after an earlier round (W.P.No.105848/2022; endorsement dated 20.03.2023); a 200-metre shift north of Rattihalli Town was rejected owing to nearly ₹20 crore extra cost, sharper curvature, a permanent speed restriction of 90 km/h against the designed 160 km/h, and canal-seepage safety concerns. Holding there was no good or cogent reason to interfere, the Court (Pradeep Singh Yerur, J., Dharwad Bench) dismissed the petitions on 11.07.2025, making it clear that acquisition under the KIADB Act (S.28/S.28(1)) must follow due process of law, with notices, consideration of objections, a hearing if required, and preliminary and final notifications.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA,

DHARWAD BENCH

DATED THIS THE 11^TH DAY OF JULY, 2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR

WRIT PETITION NO. 101870 OF 2024 (GM-RES)

C/W

WRIT PETITION NO. 100224 OF 2024 WRIT PETITION NO. 102161 OF 2024 WRIT PETITION NO. 102275 OF 2024

IN WRIT PETITION NO. 101870 OF 2024 BETWEEN:

GANESH S/O. NARAYANAPPA SALUNKE, AGED About: 50 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

VIJAYALAKSHMI
M KANKUPPI
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
DHARWAD
BENCH

NARAYANAPPA S/O. DURGOJ SALUNKE, AGED ABOUT: 78 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

MANJUNATH S/O. NARAYANAPPA SALUNKE, AGED ABOUT: 51 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

…PETITIONERS

(BY SRI. M.R. HIREMATHAD &

SRI. PRAKASH R. BADIGER, ADVOCATES)

AND:

UNION OF INDIA, R/BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,

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MINISTRY OF RAILWAY,

NEW DELHI – 110 001.

THE GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, GADAG ROAD, KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI – 580 020.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, NO.49, 4 AND 5^TH FLOOR, EAST WING, KANIJA BHAVAN, RACE CORSE ROAD, BANGALORE – 560 003.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, BUILDING NO.C.A.(1-B) GROUND FLOOR, KARUR INDUSTRIAL AREA, P.B. ROAD, DAVANAGERI – 577 006.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HAVERI – 581 110.

THE TAHASHILDAR, RATTIHALLI, HAVERI – 581 116.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. MRUTYUNJAY S. HALLIKERI, ADVOCATE FOR R1 & R2; SMT. SHARMILA M. PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R3 & R4; SRI. S.V. MAGADUM, AGA FOR R5 & R6)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE

I. SEEKING A WRIT OF CERTIORARI ORDER DATED 06/11/2023 PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.5 BEARING DC.HAV-15022(11/12/2023-HAV-LAQ VIDE ANNEXURE-D.

II. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING TO RESPONDENTS RESURVEY AND

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CHANGE THE PROPOSED RAILWAY LINE AT RATTIHLLI, YALIWAL(SIDDAPUR) AND DODDAGUBBI VILLAGE.

III. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.2 TO 6 NOT TO DISPOSSESS THE PETITIONERS OF THE PETITION FROM THEIR LAND/PLOT/HOUSE.

IV. GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEFS AS DEEMED FIT BY THIS HON’BLE COURT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

IN WRIT PETITION NO. 100224 OF 2024

BETWEEN:

NAGANAGOUDA

S/O. SHIVANAGOUDA PATIL, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

PRABHU S/O. RAVANAPPA MUDIVEERANNAVAR, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

BASANAGOUDA S/O.KAREGOUDA GHANTEPPAGOUDAR, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

DEVARAJ S/O. HALAPPA SURYAVAMSHI, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

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UJANEPPA S/O. NAGAPPA DYAVAKKALAVAR, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

NAGAPPA S/O. GURANAGOUDA HOSALLI, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. CHIKKA MATTUR VILLAGE,

HIREKERUR TALUK, HAVERI DISTRICT – 581 109.

SMT. GIRIJAMMA W/O. BASAVARAJAPPA KAYAKAD, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

RUDRESH S/O. BEERAPPA HOLAJOGI, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE,

TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

RAJU S/O. M. VEERAPPA MALAGOUDAR, AGE: 45, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

MAHADEVGOUDA S. PATIL, AGE: 59, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O. RATTIHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

…PETITIONERS

(BY SRI. M.R. HIREMATHAD & SRI. PRAKASH BADIGER, ADVOCATES)

AND:

UNION OF INDIA, R/BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF RAILWAY, NEW DELHI – 110 001.

THE GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY,

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GADAG ROAD, KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI – 580 020.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, NO.49, 4 AND 5^TH FLOOR, EAST WING, KANIJA BHAVAN,

RACE COURSE ROAD, BANGALORE – 560 003.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICE, BUILDING NO. C. A(1-B), GROUND FLOOR, KARUR INDUSTRIAL AREA, P.B. ROAD, DAVANGERI – 577 006.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HAVERI DISTRICT, HAVERI – 581 110.

THE TAHASHILDAR, RATTIHALLI, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. MRUTYUNJAY S. HALIKERI, ADVOCATE FOR R1 AND R2; SMT. SHARMILA M. PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R3 & R4; SRI. SHARAD V. MAGADUM, AGA FOR R5 & R6)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO

I. SEEKING A WRIT OF CERTIORARI ORDER BEARING NO. DC-HAV-15022(11/12/2023-HAV-LAQ DATED 06/11/2023 PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.5 VIDE ANNEXURE-D PERTAINING TO PETITIONER LAND ONLY.

II. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECT TO RESPONDENTS NO.2 TO 4 RESURVEY AND CHANGE THE PROPOSED RAILWAY LINE AT RATTIHLLI, YALIWAL (SIDDAPUR) AND DODDAGUBBI VILLAGE.

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III. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.2 TO 6 NOT TO DISPOSSESS THE PETITIONERS OF THE PETITION FROM THEIR LAND/PLOT/HOUSE.

IV. GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEFS AS DEEMED FIR BY THIS HON’BLE COURT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

IN WRIT PETITION NO. 102161 OF 2024

BETWEEN:

JAGADISH S/O. SHEKAPPA EKKEGUNDI, AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: TADAKANHALLI VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 116, HAVERI – 581 110.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. M.R. HIREMATHAD & SRI. PRAKASH R. BADIGER, ADVOCATES)

AND:

UNION OF INDIA, R/BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF RAILWAY, NEW DELHI – 110 001.

THE GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, GADAG ROAD, KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI – 580 020, DIST: DHARWAD.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, R/BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NO.49, 4 AND 5^TH FLOOR, EAST WING, KANIJA BHAVAN, RACE CORSE ROAD, BANGALORE – 560 003.

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KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, BUILDING NO.C.A(1-B), GROUND FLOOR, KARUR INDUSTRIAL AREA, P.B. ROAD, DAVANAGERI – 577 006.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HAVERI – 581 110.

THE TAHASHILDAR, RATTIHALLI, HAVERI – 581 116.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. MRUTYUNJAY S. HALLIKERI, ADVOCATE FOR R1& R2; SMT. SHARMILA M. PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R3 AND R4; SRI. SHARAD V. MAGADUM, AGA FOR R5 & R6)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO

I. SEEKING A WRIT OF CERTIORARI ORDER BEARING NO. DC-HAV-15022(11/112/2023- HAV-LAQ DATED 06/11/2023 PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO. 5 VIDE ANNEXURE-D INSOFAR PETITIONER LAND/PROPERTY BEARING NO.1/94 OF RATTIHALLI GRAM PANCHAYAT.

II. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING TO RESPONDENTS NO. 2 TO 4 RESURVEY AND CHANGE THE PROPOSED RAILWAY LINE AT RATTIHLLI, YALIWAL (SIDDAPUR) AND DODDAGUBBI VILLAGE.

III. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO. 2 TO 6 NOT TO DISPOSSESS THE PETITIONERS OF THE PETITION FROM THEIR LAND/PLOT/HOUSE.

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IV. GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEFS AS DEEMED FIT BY THIS HON’BLE COURT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

IN WRIT PETITION NO. 102275 OF 2024 BETWEEN:

ASHOK S/O. BHARAMAPPA BULLAPUR, AGE: 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

BELAKERAPPA S/O. HANUMANTAPPA GUNDAGATTI, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

KRISHNAPPA S/O. LATE DEVAPPA BANKARPUR, AGED ABOUT: 67 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

RAMACHANDRAPPA S/O. HANUMNTHAPPA JADAV, AGED ABOUT: 62 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

NAJEER SAB S/O. MUNAF SAB SIDDAPUR, AGED ABOUT: 48 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

SAJJANSHETTAR VIRUPAPAKSHAPPA S/O. SHIVARUDRAPPA, AGED ABOUT: 82 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

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BEERAPPA S/O. HALAPPA GUNDAGATTI, AGED ABOUT: 39 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

SALIHA S/O. ANWAR SAB, AGED ABOUT: 44 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, JANATA PLOT, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

KRISHNAJI RAV DHULOJI KARATA, AGED ABOUT: 76 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

TALAVAR THIRUKAPPA S/O. PAKKIRAPPA (TALAVAR), AGED ABOUT: 53 YEARS, OCC: AGRICULTURE, R/O: KODAMAGGI MASURU VILLAGE, TQ: HIREKERUR, DIST: HAVERI – 581 210.

…PETITIONERS

(BY SRI. M R HIREMATHAD & SRI. PRAKASH BADIGER, ADVOCATES)

AND:

UNION OF INDIA, R/BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF RAILWAY, NEW DELHI – 110 001.

THE GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, GADAG ROAD, KESHWAPUR, HUBBALLI – 580 020, DIST: DHARWAD.

KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, R/BY CEO, NO.49, 4 AND 5^TH FLOOR, EAST WING, KANIJA BHAVAN, RACE CORSE ROAD, BANGALORE – 560 003.

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KARNATAKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, R/BY SLA OFFICER, SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, BUILDING NO.C.A(1-B), GROUND FLOOR, KARUR INDUSTRIAL AREA, P.B. ROAD, DAVANAGERI – 577 006.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HAVERI – 581 110.

THE TAHASHILDAR, RATTIHALLI, HAVERI – 581 116.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. MRUTYUNJAY S. HALLIKERI, ADVOCATE FOR R1& R2; SMT. SHARMILA M. PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R3 AND R4; SRI. SHARAD V. MAGADUM, AGA FOR R5 & R6)

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO

A) SEEKING A WRIT OF CERTIORARI ORDER BEARING NO. DC-HAV- (11/12/2023-HAV-LAQ DATED 06/11/2023 PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.5 VIDE ANNEXURE-D.

B) ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECT TO RESPONDENTS NO.2 TO 4 RESURVEY AND CHANGE THE PROPOSED RAILWAY LINE AT RATTIHLLI, YALIWAL (SIDDAPUR) AND DODDAGUBBI VILLAGE.

C) ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NO.2 TO 6 NOT TO DISPOSSESS THE PETITIONERS OF THE PETITION FROM THEIR LAND/PLOT/HOUSE.

D) GRANT SUCH OTHER RELIEFS AS DEEMED FIT BY THIS HON’BLE COURT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

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THESE WRIT PETITIONS COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN ‘B’ GROUP THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

ORAL ORDER

(PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR)

Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and

learned AGA as well as the learned counsel for the respondents.

Petitioners are before this Court seeking to

quash the impugned order passed by the 5^th respondent dated 06.11.2023 and for a direction to re-survey or change the alignment of the proposed new railway line between Shivamogga-Shikaripur-Ranebennur railway line.

The Central Government Railway Department approved new railway line project between ShivamoggaShikaripur-Ranebennur at an estimated cost of ₹832.45 crores on 50:50 per share between the State Government and Central Government. The railway line proposed to start from Shivamogga-via-Shikaripur-Ranebennur. The respondents No.2 to 4 accordingly appointed the Survey Officers and other required persons for survey and

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mapping of route of the railway line. According to the petitioners, the railway line starts from Shivamogga to Shikaripur and to end at Ranebennuru. The same passes through Survey Nos.105/B, 106A, 106/2, 204 and 89 of the Rattihalli village of Haveri District. Said survey numbers are converted to non-agriculture lands and some petitioners have already constructed their houses. Hence, the petitioners made a representation to respondents No.5 and 6 requesting the proposed line passing through between village and between residential houses is affecting the villagers and sought for re-survey of the proposed railway project.

It is further contented by the learned counsel for the petitioners that respondents no.5 and 6 forwarded the same to respondent no.4 and recommended to change the railway line. Respondent No.4 has requested respondent no.6, which was forwarded to respondent no.4 to recommend the change of the railway line.

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The petitioners have also made a

representation to respondent no.2 and requested to change the modification of the proposed railway line, which was not considered by the respondents. Hence, the petitioners filed a Writ Petition No.105848/2022, whereby this Court disposed of the same, directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners and the respondents No.1 and 2 to take suitable actions and pass appropriate orders. Thereafter, the respondent/Railway Department considered the representation and issued an endorsement dated 20.03.2023. It is the grievance of the petitioners that the respondent/Railways and the KIADB intending to change the entire station platform and may change from its original plan and the alignment which was initially prepared. Thereby affecting the individual rights of the petitioners and the property rights of the petitioners, thereby violating their rights to property including Article 300A of the Constitution of India to enjoy property of the petitioners.

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Learned counsel for the petitioners further

contends that he does not have any objection in original allignment, which was made by the Railway Department to continue and the acquisition process to be continued in accordance with law by following the due process of law, rather than changing the alignment plan and the construction of the platforms being shifted time and again to suit certain influential persons. Hence, the present petition by the petitioners.

Learned counsel Sri Mrutyunjay S. Hallikeri appearing for the respondent/Railway Department submits that the Railway Board had sanctioned the reconnaissance Engineering survey for connecting existing Shivamogga station to existing Ranebennur station via Shikaripura in the year 2012. Based on the survey order made, alignments were made duly indicating techno economic analysis for each alignment which are drawn and based on the techno economic analysis the present alignment has been finalized and submitted to the Railway Board in the

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year 2017 at the cost of ₹956.48 crores. He further submits that the alignment of the project has been finalized keeping in mind all the parameters particularly interest of the local public as the project is of public importance. However, he contends that the final location survey has been sanctioned by the Railway Board in the year 2017 and the new line has been sanctioned by the Railway Board in the year 2019 for ₹994.47 crores. Accordingly, the Government of Karnataka issued Government Order No.IDD 31 NSW 2017 dated 22.08.2019 for taking up the subject project on cost sharing basis with a cost of ₹956.10 crore and land cost of at ₹244.73 crores. This being the state of affairs, there were certain objections raised and the petitioners had approached this Court and obtained an order. Based on the order passed by this Court, the issue was reexamined, duly taken up for consideration and all aspects suggested by the petitioners were considered including shifting of alignment by 200 meters towards north of Rattihalli Town was examined and it was found that that

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there will be substantial increase in the cost of railway project to the tune of nearly ₹20 crore as there will be necessary connections at either ends, which necessitates sharper degree of curvature and extra road on bridge. This will invite permanent speed restrictions of 90 km/h as against the designed speed of 160 km/h for the present alignment.

It is further contended that permanent speed restriction will further get compounded due to the proximity of canal waterway due to seepage of water into the proposed formation of the alignment, thereby affecting the safety.

Learned counsel further contends that before considering these aspects Railway Department has conducted due diligence considering all the parameters the techno-economic feasibility, speed potential as well as proximity to the users with well-connected approach of the existing villages for the alignment of the railway line to the particular area. Therefore, after analyzing all these aspects

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which was decided that there was no possibility of shifting the alignment based on the techno-economic feasibility as suggested by the petitioners. The learned counsel further contends that in case of even shifting assuming for the sake of argument, one or the other persons land will be acquired for formation of the railway line and either the petitioners or the other landowners will be affected. Therefore, on the basis of techno-economic feasibility and due diligence, the railway alignment line has been finalized, which would be considered by the KIADB for acquisition and the acquisition process would be conducted in accordance to the Act, Rules and due process of law would be followed by providing suitable notice and principles of natural justice would be followed.

Learned counsel for respondents no.3 and 4 concurs with the arguments put forth by learned counsel for the Railway Department and she contends that the present petition filed by the petitioners is vexatious without there being any interest for the general public. It

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is only for the benefit of petitioners rather than the public cause. He further contends that the alignment so made by the Railway Department to the railway line is far from the school and it does not affect the school in any manner as contended by the petitioners. So also the requirement of the railway line is on the basis of no profit and no loss and it is required for the public purpose and public at large. Therefore, when the public purpose is the larger interest, the private individual interest would yield to the larger public interest in such situations where railway lines are sought to be laid for the development of the neighbouring areas, villages and public at large. On these grounds, he seeks to dismiss the petition of the petitioners.

I have heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned counsel for the respondents. The petitioners were before this Court in the earlier round of litigation, whereby this court directed the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners and pass suitable orders in accordance with law. On the basis of the said

NC: 2025:KHC-D:8668 WP No. 101870 of 2024 C/W.WP.Nos.100224, 102161 & 102275 of 2024.

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order passed by this court, the respondents have reconsidered whether there could be any possibility or feasibility of changing the railway line alignment from the one which was already initiated by the Railway Department after conducting the necessary economic analysis and alternative alignments. The request of the petitioners for changing the line and shifting it was reiterated that there was no possibility of shifting the alignment as suggested by the petitioners as it would cause both hardship and inconvenience to the public at large and also the financial expenses which will be huge. On these grounds, the respondents have decided to proceed further with the alignment to lay the line as was decided by the Railway Department.

It is the grievance of the petitioners that the respondents are conducting the survey interfering the petitioner's property without there being any acquisition and without following the due process of law, without providing any notice and violating the principles of natural

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justice. The learned counsel for the respondents submits that they would acquire the property by following due process of law and proceed further for acquisition by initiating necessary process inconsonance with Section 28 of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board Act following the process or procedure laid down under the Act by notifying concerned persons including receiving and others interested giving scope for filing objections to the petitioners and thereafter proceed further with the acquisition process in accordance with law.

In WP.102275/2024, preliminary notification

has already been issued under Section 28(1) of the KIADB Act, the further process has been stopped in view of the orders passed by this Court, thereafter counsel submit that they would follow due process of law by notifying, thereafter and proceed further in the acquisition proceedings.

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Therefore, under the circumstances, I do not

find any good or cogent reason to interfere in this petition to show indulgence to these petitioners on the issuance of impugned order. Accordingly, I pass the following:

ORDER

(i) Petition is dismissed.

(ii) However, it is made clear that the respondents shall follow the due process of law while acquiring the properties for laying down the railway line, consider the objections, if any, of the petitioners and also provide a hearing if required to the petitioners while passing the orders, including survey and acquisition and the issuance of notification both preliminary and final.

Sd/(PRADEEP SINGH YERUR) JUDGE

KGK/CKK CT-MCK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 78

Parties & counsel

AI extract

petitioner
Ganesh s/o Narayanappa Salunke¶13
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash R. Badiger
petitioner
Narayanappa s/o Durgoj Salunke¶16
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash R. Badiger
petitioner
Manjunath s/o Narayanappa Salunke¶18
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash R. Badiger
petitioner
Naganagouda s/o Shivanagouda Patil¶46
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Prabhu s/o Ravanappa Mudiveerannavar¶49
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Basanagouda s/o Karegouda Ghanteppagoudar¶50
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Devaraj s/o Halappa Suryavamshi¶51
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Ujaneppa s/o Nagappa Dyavakkalavar¶54
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Nagappa s/o Guranagouda Hosalli¶56
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Smt. Girijamma w/o Basavarajappa Kayakad¶58
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Rudresh s/o Beerappa Holajogi¶60
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Raju s/o M. Veerappa Malagoudar¶62
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Mahadevgouda S. Patil¶63
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Jagadish s/o Shekappa Ekkegundi¶88
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash R. Badiger
petitioner
Ashok s/o Bharamappa Bullapur¶110
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Belakerappa s/o Hanumantappa Gundagatti¶111
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Krishnappa s/o Late Devappa Bankarpur¶112
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Ramachandrappa s/o Hanumnthappa Jadav¶113
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Najeer Sab s/o Munaf Sab Siddapur¶114
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Sajjanshettar Virupapakshappa s/o Shivarudrappa¶115
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Beerappa s/o Halappa Gundagatti¶118
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Saliha s/o Anwar Sab¶119
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Krishnaji Rav Dhuloji Karata¶120
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
petitioner
Talavar Thirukappa s/o Pakkirappa (Talavar)¶121
M.R. Hiremathad, Prakash Badiger
respondent
Union of India, rep. by Principal Secretary, Ministry of Railway, New Delhi (Respondent No.1)¶24
Mrutyunjay S. Hallikeri
respondent
The General Manager, South Western Railway, Hubballi (Respondent No.2)¶29
Mrutyunjay S. Hallikeri
respondent
Karnataka Industrial Development Authority, Kanija Bhavan, Bangalore (Respondent No.3)¶30
Sharmila M. Patil
respondent
Karnataka Industrial Development Authority, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Davanagere (Respondent No.4)¶31
Sharmila M. Patil
respondent
The Deputy Commissioner, Haveri (Respondent No.5)¶32
Sharad V. Magadum
respondent
The Tahashildar, Rattihalli (Respondent No.6)¶33
Sharad V. Magadum

Coram

AI extract

Justice Pradeep Singh Yerurauthor¶8