Smt. Chikkabandamma v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC, WP No. 19035 of 2026 (SC/ST), order dated 08.07.2026, M.I. Arun J. Keywords: Section 5 PTCL Act 1978; restoration/resumption of granted land; Srirangapatna Taluk, Mandya district; sale in 1994 challenged after 31 years; inordinate unexplained delay; delay and laches; Nekkanti Rama Lakshmi (2020) 14 SCC 232; R. Suresh Mohan, W.P. No. 3597/2018 (06.07.2026); mandamus to Assistant Commissioner to consider restoration application; writ petition dismissed. Useful for advocates assessing whether a delayed Section 5 PTCL restoration application/challenge to post-1978 alienations will be entertained on the delay rationale.
What did the court decide?
Since the land sold in 1994 was challenged after a lapse of 31 years and the inordinate delay is not explained, the challenge to the alienation is to be considered not to have been made within a reasonable period and is hit by Nekkanti Rama Lakshmi v. State of Karnataka, (2020) 14 SCC 232, and R. Suresh Mohan v. State of Karnataka and Others (W.P. No. 3597/2018, disposed of on 06.07.2026); accordingly the writ petition is dismissed.