Karnataka High Court
Smt. M Geeta W/O M Bhadrinarayan vs The State Of Karnataka on 26 February, 2026
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147
WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT DHARWAD
DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA
WRIT PETITION NO. 101494 OF 2026 (KLR-RR/SUR)
C/W
WRIT PETITION NO. 101451 OF 2026 (KLR-RR/SUR)
WRIT PETITION NO. 101452 OF 2026 (KLR-RR/SUR)
IN WP No. 101494/2026:
BETWEEN:
HANUMANTAPPA S/O. PAKIRAVVA
AGE. 54 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE,
R/O. KARATAGI, DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. SADIQ N.GOODWALA, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,
BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,
VIDHAN SOUDHA, BENGALURU-01.
MANJANNA
2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
E
KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
Digitally signed by
MANJANNA E
Location: HIGH COURT
3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OF KARNATAKA
DHARWAD BENCH KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
Date: 2026.02.28
10:26:09 +0530
4. THE TAHASILDAR
TQ. KARATAGI, DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
5. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER
KARNATAKA NIRAVARI NIGAM, NO.2,
CANAL DIVISION, VADARHALLI CAMP,
TQ. KARATAGI, DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT. NANDINI B.SOMAPUR, AGA FOR R1 TO R4;
SRI. K.S.PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R5)
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147
WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE
NATURE OF CERTIORARI QUASHING THE MR NO.T146 DATED
10.02.2026 PASSED BY RESPONDENT NO.4 VIDE ANNEXURE-C AND
CONSEQUENTLY DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.4 TO RESTORE NAME
OF PETITIONER IN COLUMN NO.9 AND 12 IN RESPECT OF
SY.NO.67/5 MEASURING 2 ACRES AND 34 GUNTAS SITUATED AT
BEVINAHAL GRAM, TQ. KARATAGI, DIST. KOPPAL VIDE ANNEXURE-D
IN REVENUE RECORDS; AND ETC.
IN WP NO. 101451/2026:
BETWEEN:
SMT. M. GEETA W/O. M. BHADRINARAYAN
AGE. 47 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE,
R/O. BASAVANA CAMP, BEVINAHAL,
TQ. AND DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. SADIQ N.GOODWALA, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,
BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,
VIDHAN SOUDHA, BENGALURU-01.
2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
4. THE TAHASILDAR
TQ. KARATAGI,
DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
5. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER
KARNATAKA NIRAVARI NIGAM NIYAMITA,
NO.2, CANAL DIVISION,
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147
WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
VADARHALLI CAMP,
TQ. KARATAGI,
DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT. NANDINI B.SOMAPUR, AGA FOR R1 TO R4;
SRI. K.S.PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R5)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND
227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A
WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI QUASHING THE MR
NO.T147 AND T145 DATED 10.02.2026 PASSED BY
RESPONDENT NO.4 VIDE ANNEXURE-C AND D IN SY NO.67/4
MEASURING 3 ACRES AND 25 GUNTAS AND SY NO.67/6
MEASURING 1 ACRE AND 21 GUNTAS, BOTH ARE SITUATED AT
BEVINAHAL GRAM, TQ. KARATAGI, DIST KOPPAL AND
CONSEQUENTLY DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.4 TO RESTORE
NAME OF PETITIONER IN COLUMN NO.9 AND 12 IN RESPECT OF
SY NO.67/4 MEASURING 3 ACRES AND 25 GUNTAS AND SY
NO.67/6 MEASURING 1 ACRE AND 21 GUNTAS, BOTH ARE
SITUATED AT BEVINAHAL GRAM, TQ. KARATAGI, DIST. KOPPAL
VIDE ANNEXURE-E AND F IN REVENUE RECORDS; AND ETC.
IN WP NO. 101452/2026:
BETWEEN:
A. RAMU S/O. VENKATARAO
AGE. 59 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE,
R/O. BASAVANA CAMP, BEVINAHAL,
TQ. AND DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. SADIQ N.GOODWALA, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,
BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,
VIDHAN SOUDHA,
BENGALURU-01.
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WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
KOPPAL-583229, DIST. KOPPAL.
4. THE TAHASILDAR
TQ. KARATAGI,
DIST. KOPPAL-583229.
5. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER
KARNATAKA NIRAVARI NIGAM NIYAMITA,
NO.2, CANAL DIVISION,
VADARHALLI CAMP,
TQ. KARATAGI, DIST.
KOPPAL-583229.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT. NANDINI B.SOMAPUR, AGA FOR R1 TO R4;
SRI. K.S.PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R5)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND
227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A
WRIT IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI QUASHING THE MR
NO.T148 DATED 10.02.2026 PASSED BY RESPONDENT NO.4
VIDE ANNEXURE-C AND D IN SY NO.67/7 MEASURING 31
GUNTAS AND MR NO. T149 AT SY.NO.67/8 MEASURING 2 ACRES
AND 2 GUNTAS, BOTH ARE SITUATED AT BEVINAHAL GRAM, TQ.
KARATAGI, DIST KOPPAL AND CONSEQUENTLY DIRECT THE
RESPONDENT NO.4 TO RESTORE NAME OF PETITIONER IN
COLUMN NO.9 AND 12 IN RESPECT OF SY NO.67/7 MEASURING
31 GUNTAS AND SY NO.67/8 MEASURING 2 ACRES AND 2
GUNTAS, BOTH ARE SITUATED AT BEVINAHAL GRAM, TQ.
KARATAGI, DIST KOPPAL VIDE ANNEXURE-E AND F IN REVENUE
RECORDS; AND ETC.
THESE WRIT PETITIONS COMING ON FOR ORDER, ORDER
WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147
WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
ORAL ORDER
These writ petitions are filed challenging the mutation entries dated 10.02.2026 effected by respondent No.4-Tahasildar, Karatagi taluk, whereby, the names of the petitioners recorded in column Nos.9 and 12 of the RTC in respect of their lands were deleted and the name of respondent No.5 was inserted without issuing notice and without conducting enquiry as mandated under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 ('Act' for short).
2. Since, the issues involved in all the writ petitions are identical and arise out of the mutation entries passed, they are clubbed together and disposed of by this common order.
Brief facts:
W.P.No.101494/2026:
3. The petitioner purchased land bearing Sy.No.67/5, measuring 2 acres 34 guntas situated at Bevinahal Grama, Taluk Karatagi, District Koppal under a registered sale deed dated 07.01.2021 and his name was -6- NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147 WP No. 101494 of 2026 C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026 WP No. 101452 of 2026 HC-KAR entered in column Nos.9 and 12 of the RTC. However, by M.R.No.T146 dated 10.02.2026, respondent No.4 altered the earlier mutation and inserted the name of respondent No.5 without issuing notice or conducting enquiry. W.P.No.101451/2026:
4. The petitioner purchased Sy.No.67/4, measuring 3 acres and 25 guntas and Sy.No.67/6, measuring 1 acre and 21 guntas situated at Bevinahal Grama, under the registered sale deed dated 30.01.2009 and her name was entered in column Nos.9 and 12 of the RTC. However, by M.R.Nos.T147 and T145 dated 10.02.2026, the Tahasildar altered the entries and inserted the name of respondent No.5 without issuing notice or conducting enquiry.
W.P.No.101452/2026:
5. The petitioner purchased Sy.No.67/7, measuring 31 guntas and Sy.No.67/8, measuring 2 acres 2 guntas situated at Bevinahal Grama under a registered -7- NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147 WP No. 101494 of 2026 C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026 WP No. 101452 of 2026 HC-KAR sale deed dated 30.01.2009 and his name was entered in column Nos.9 and 12 of the RTC. However, by M.R.Nos.T148 and T149 dated 10.02.2026, the Tahasildar altered the entries and inserted the name of respondent No.5 without issuing notice or conducting enquiry.
6. In all these cases, the petitioners contend that the mutation entries were effected without following procedure under Sections 128 and 129 of the Act, and in violation of principles of natural justice.
7. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the names of the petitioners were duly recorded in the revenue records. It is submitted that the impugned mutation entries are passed mechanically. No notice was issued prior to the deletion of their names and no enquiry was conducted as mandated under the Act. Learned counsel further submits that the issue is covered by the earlier decisions of this Court, wherein, similar entries were quashed.-8-
NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147 WP No. 101494 of 2026 C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026 WP No. 101452 of 2026 HC-KAR
8. Per contra, learned Additional Government Advocate for the respondents submits that the mutation entries were based on available material and the petitioners have an alternative remedy under Section 136(2) of the Act.
9. This Court has carefully considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record.
10. It is not in dispute that prior to the impugned entries, the name of the petitioners were recorded in column Nos.9 and 12 of the RTC in respect of their respective lands. Sections 128 and 129 of the Act, mandate issuance of notice and holding of enquiry before effecting any mutation entries that affects rights of recorded holders. Mutation proceedings, though summary in nature, must strictly adhere to the statutory provisions. There is no material forthcoming to show that the notices were issued to the petitioners, no enquiry was conducted before altering the entries. The mutation entries appear to have been passed mechanically.
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11. This Court in the case of Dadesab S/o Buddesad Mulla Vs. The State of Karnataka and Others1 (Dadesab), has held that mutation entries effected without notice and without following mandatory procedure under Sections 128 to 131 of the Act are illegal and liable to be quashed.
12. This Court in the case of Smt. Indramma Vs. The State of Karnataka and Others2 (Indramma) has held at paragraph Nos.12 and 13 as under:
12. "Learned counsel for the petitioner places reliance on the decision of the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Dadesab S/o Buddesab Mulla Vs. The State of Karnataka and othersḥ3 (Dadesab).
Wherein this Court on 17.02.2023, by placing reliance of the decisions of this Court in Sharanabasappa Vs. The State of Karnataka and others4 (Sharanabasappa) and in the case of Abdul Samad and another Vs. the 1 W.P.No.101103 of 2023 2 W.P.No.100278 of 2026 D.D 14.01.2026 3 W.P.No.101103 of 2023 (KLR-RR/SUR) 4 W.P.No.147421 of 2020 dated 12.10.2020
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147 WP No. 101494 of 2026 C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026 WP No. 101452 of 2026 HC-KAR State of Karnataka and others5 (Abdul Samad) has held that the mutation entry made without notice and without adherence of statutory procedure are illegal and violative of principle of natural justice.
13. The objections regarding availability of alternative remedy cannot be accepted in the present case, as the impugned action is ex facie in voilation of statutory provisions and principles of natural justice. In such circumstance, the existence of appellate remedy does not bar the exercise the writ jurisdiction, and the impugned entry cannot be sustained in law and is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, this Court pass the following:
ORDER
(i) The writ petition is allowed.
(ii) The impugned mutation entry in MR.No.H2 dated 07.01.2026 th passed by the 5 respondent (Annexure-K) in respect of 1 acre 20 guntas of Sy.No.3 situated at Rangapur Village, Gangavati taluk 5 W.P.No.101122/2021 dated 26.03.2021.
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147
WP No. 101494 of 2026
C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026
WP No. 101452 of 2026
HC-KAR
of Koppal district is hereby
quashed.
(iii) The respondents are directed to restore and the name of the petitioner in respect of the aforesaid property within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
(iv) Liberty is reserved to the
respondents-authorities to take
steps in accordance with law."
13. The writ petitions stand on an identical footing. Accordingly, the impugned mutation entries without issuance of notice or conduct of enquiry prior to passing M.R.Nos.T146, T148, T149, T147 and T145, passed by respondent No.4-Tahsildar, cannot be sustained. Accordingly, this Court pass the following:
ORDER i. The writ petitions are allowed.
ii. The mutation entries dated 10.02.2026 passed by respondent No.4-Tahsildar, in M.R.Nos.T146, T148, T149, T147 and T145 are hereby quashed.
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NC: 2026:KHC-D:3147 WP No. 101494 of 2026 C/W WP No. 101451 of 2026 WP No. 101452 of 2026 HC-KAR iii. The respondents are directed to restore the names of the respective petitioners in column Nos.9 and 12 in RTC in respect of their respective lands within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this order.
iv. Liberty is reserved to the respondents-authority to take appropriate steps, if so advised, in accordance with law.
Sd/-
JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA AT CT:VH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40