Rangaiah T v. The State of Karnataka

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE LALITHA KANNEGANTI WRIT PETITION NO. 23881 OF 2026 (GM-KEB) BETWEEN:

RANGAIAH T SO LATE THIMMAIAH B., AGED ABOUT 79 YEARS R/AT 45/A, 30TH CROSS, 4TH MAIN, VIDYARANYAPURAM, MYSORE -570 008 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MOHAN B.K., ADVOCATE)

AND:

¶1THE STATE OF KARNATAKA VIKASA SOUDHA, DR.B.R AMBEDKAR STREET, BANGALORE - 560 001 REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

¶2KARNATAKA POWER TRANSMISSION CORPORATION LTD. KAVERI BHAVAN, K. G. ROAD, BENGALURU REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR

¶3KARNATAKA POWER TRANSMISSION CORPORATION LTD., 400 KV KADAKOLA PROJECT. PRASARANA BHAVAN

Digitally signed by SUVARNA T Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

STS PREMISES, N.R.MOHALLA, MYSORE -500 007 REP. BY ITS EXECUTIVE ENGINEER …RESPONDENTS (BY MS.AMARAVATHY H.R., AGA FOR R1 SRI.H.V.DEVARAJU, ADVOCATE FOR R2 AND R3)

THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT QUASHING THE IMPUGNED LETTER NO. KA.NI.E.(V)/ SA.KA.NI.E(V)/ SA.E.(V)/MI2026-27/79-80, DATED:15.06.2026 OF THE RESPONDENTS FOR LAYING ELECTRIC TOWERS/CABLES THROUGH THE SCHEDULE PROPERTY I.E., ANNEXURE C.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE LALITHA KANNEGANTI

ORAL ORDER The present writ petition is filed seeking the following prayer.

"Wherefore, the petitioner most respectfully prays that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to:

i. Issue a writ, order, or direction in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ quashing the impugned letter No.Ka.Ni.Im(v) Sa.Ka.Ni.Imm(v)Sa.Imm(v) /My/2026-27/ -80 dated

15.06.2026 of the respondents for

laying electric towers/cables through the schedule property i.e., Annexure-C.

ii. Issue a writ, order, or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to relocate the electric towers/cables to an alternative route that does not adversely affect the petitioner's agricultural land.

iii. Pass such order orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.

¶2It is the contention of the petitioner that the respondent had originally earmarked land bearing Sy.No.222, wherein the cables were intended to be laid through the Southern side of Sy.No.222. However, in order to benefit the owner of the said land by avoiding the passing of the cable through the main entrance of the said land has decided to encroach the land of the petitioner so as to install tower and lay cables through Sy.Nos.245/2 and then pass through the Northern side of Sy.No.222.

¶3Learned counsel appearing for the respondent submits that when there was an obstruction, they filed an

application before the Deputy Commissioner. The respondents appeared before the Deputy Commissioner, who has heard and reserved the matter, and it is coming up for the passing of orders on 22.09.2026. It is submitted that till such order is passed, they will not lay the line.

¶4In response to that, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that before the Deputy Commissioner, they have not raised all these grounds. They have only filed their objection as far as the application of the petitioner is concerned. It is submitted that they may be given an opportunity to raise all the grounds before the Deputy Commissioner. Then the Deputy Commissioner can pass appropriate orders.

¶5Having heard the learned counsels on either side, perused the material on record and the fact that the matter is pending before the Deputy Commissioner. If all these issues are raised before the Deputy Commissioner and decided, it would put a quietus to the litigation. Accordingly, this Court is passing the following:

ORDER i. The writ petition is disposed of, giving liberty to the petitioner to raise all the grounds before the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner, after considering all the grounds raised by the petitioner, shall pass appropriate orders.

ii. Till the orders are passed, the respondent shall not proceed with laying the lines.

iii. The respondent shall communicate this order to the Deputy Commissioner.

iv. All pending I.As., in the petition shall stand closed.

SD/- (LALITHA KANNEGANTI) JUDGE

PKN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 39