Writ Petition No. 15379 of 2025 · The High Court
Case Details
- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV WRIT PETITION NO. 15379 OF 2025 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. SHIVAGANGA BESTHARA MEENUGARARA SAHAKARA SANGHA NIYAMITHA REP BY ITS PRESIDENT SRI RAVI KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS OFFICE AT PARANGICHIKKANA PALYA KASABA HOBLI, MAGADI TALUK RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 (REGISTERED UNDER THE KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT) (BY SRI. GOPAL., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY 3RD GATE 3RD FLOOR M S BUILDING BANGALORE - 560 001 Digitally signed by VIJAYA P Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA … PETITIONER - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR 2. THE COMMISSIONER RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT K G ROAD BANGALORE - 560 001 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RAMANAGARA RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 4. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ZILLA PANCHAYATH RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 5. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER TALUK PANCHAYAT, MAGADI RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 6. THE PRESIDENT CUM DEPUTY SECRETARY RAMANAGARA ZILLA PANCHAYATH RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 7. THE MEMBER SECRETARY CUM ASSISTANT SECRETARY RAMANAGARA ZILLA PANCHAYATH RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120 8. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES MAGADI, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 120
Legal Reasoning
(BY SRI. MOHAMMED JAFFAR SHAH, AGA) … RESPONDENTS THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO 1. ISSUE WRIT OF - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR MANDAMUS OR APPROPRIATE WRIT, TO QUASH THE PROCEEDING DATED 09.04.2025 AT ANNEXURE-A HELD UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF RESPONDENT NO.6 - DEPUTY SECRETARY AND RESPONDENT NO.7 - MEMBER SECRETARY CUM ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF RAMANAGARA ZILLA PANCHAYAT REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF BHARGAVATHI LAKE IN MAGADI TALUK FOR PUBLIC AUCTION TO GRANT LEASE HOLD FISHERIES RIGHTS OF BHARGAVATHI LAKE AND DIRECTION OF RESPONDENT NO.6 - DEPUTY SECRETARY OF RAMANAGARA ZILLA PANCHAYAT TO RESPONDENT NO.7 - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC LEASE HOLD RIGHTS AND DIRECT AUCTION RESPONDENTS NO. 4, 6 TO 8 TO GRANT LEASE HOLD RIGHTS OF THE BHARGAVATHI LAKE TO THE PETITIONER SOCIETY WHO IS ELIGIBLE SOCIETY AS PER THE KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT POLICY DATED 21.02.2014 AT ANNEXURE-D BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PETITIONER DATED 23.08.2024, 08.11.2024 AND 30.11.2024 AT ANNEXURE H, H1, H2 AND ETC. FOR THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV ORAL ORDER Petitioner has sought for issuance of writ of mandamus to set aside the proceedings dated 09.04.2025 at Annexure-A and has further sought for grant of lease hold rights of Bhargavathi Lake to the petitioner - Society, in light of its eligibility, in terms of the policy of the Government dated 21.02.2014. - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR 2. It is the case of the petitioner that it is a Society registered under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act and the lease hold rights of fishing of the Bhargavathi Lake is sought to be given by the Government and in regard to which, the petitioner - Society has made several representations. It is further submitted that the respondent - Authorities have sought for granting of lease hold rights of fishing of the Bhargavathi Lake by way of public auction. 3. It is specifically contended that public auction is open to all without taking note of the priority that is contained in the Policy of the Government encapsulated in the Order dated 21.02.2014 at Annexure-D. It is the specific case that in terms of the policy referred to above, first priority is with respect to eligible fishing co-operative societies and only in the absence of such societies, other steps can be taken. - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR 4. Learned AGA submits that the Government is bound by the policy contained in terms of Annexure-D and would adhere to the same. 5. It is noticed that the notification at Annexure-K which provides for public auction makes it open for all to apply for lease. The policy of granting lakes for lease of fishing contains a priority. The policy as contained in the Government Order dated 21.02.2014 at Clause (IV) is extracted below: "IV) ಅಅಅಅ(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:2)(cid:3)ೆಗಳೆಗಳೆಗಳೆಗಳ(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:7):- ಕಂಕಂಕಂಕಂ(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:10)(cid:11)ೆೆೆೆ-4:- ಾನಗಳ(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:7) (cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:13)ೇೇೇೇ(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)ಾಾಾಾ(cid:16)(cid:16)(cid:16)(cid:16) (cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:17)ಾನಗಳ ಾನಗಳಾನಗಳ 1) UÀÄwÛUÉ:- (ಅ) ಜಲಸಂಪನೂ(cid:24)ಲಗಳನು(cid:26) (cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:27)ದಲುದಲುದಲುದಲು ಅಹಅಹಅಹಅಹ(cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30) (cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:31)ೕನುೕನುೕನುೕನು ಾರರಾರರಾರರಾರರ ಸಹಸಹಸಹಸಹ(cid:11)(cid:11)(cid:11)(cid:11)ಾರಾರಾರಾರ ಗಳನು(cid:26)(cid:26)(cid:26)(cid:26) ಆಆಆಆ%%%%ಾಾಾಾ&’(&’(&’(&’( ಗಗಗಗ(cid:16)(cid:16)(cid:16)(cid:16)ಷಷಷಷ* ಸಂಘಗಸಂಘಗಸಂಘಗಸಂಘಗ(cid:2)(cid:2)(cid:2)(cid:2)ಂದಂದಂದಂದ ಅಅಅಅ#(cid:30)#(cid:30)#(cid:30)#(cid:30)ಗಳನು ಗಳನು ಗಳನು * 5 ವಷವಷವಷವಷ(cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30)ಗಳಗಳಗಳಗಳ ಅವಅವಅವಅವ, , , , ೆೆೆೆ ಗುಗುಗುಗು-. -. -. -. ೆೆೆೆ ೆೆೆೆ ’’’’ೕಡೕಡೕಡೕಡ(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)ಾಗುವಾಗುವಾಗುವಾಗುವ0000ದುದುದುದು. ಅ#(cid:30) ಸ12(ದ (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7) ಈ ಆ4ೇಶದ ಅನುಬಂಧ-1ರರರರ12121212 ಅನುಬಂಧ ಅನುಬಂಧ ಅನುಬಂಧ ನಮೂ9(ರುವ ಅಹ(cid:30):ೆಗಳನು(cid:26) %ೊಂ9ರ;ೇಕು %ಾಗೂ 4ಾಖ(cid:13)ಾ-ಗಳನು(cid:26) ಸ12ಸ;ೇಕು. * * - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR (ಆ) ಪ=- ಅಹ(cid:30) (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘ(cid:11)ೆ>, ಆ ಸಂಘದ ;ೈ(cid:13)ಾ ಪ=(cid:11)ಾರ, ಅದರ (cid:11)ಾಯ(cid:30) (cid:3)ಾAB.ಯ12 ಗ(cid:16)ಷ* 300 %ೆ(cid:11)ೆCೕD' ಜಲ(cid:12)(.ೕಣ(cid:30)(cid:11)ೆ> (cid:31)ೕರದಂ:ೆ ಗ(cid:16)ಷC ಎರಡು (cid:11)ೆGೆ ಅಥ(cid:3)ಾ ಈ ಆ4ೇಶದ ಅನುಬಂಧ-2 ರರರರ12121212 ಪIC Jಾ(cid:10)ರುವ ಗ(cid:16)ಷC ಒಂದು ಜ(cid:13)ಾಶಯದ ಅಥ(cid:3)ಾ ಅನುಬಂಧ ಅನುಬಂಧ ಅನುಬಂಧ ಗ(cid:16)ಷ* ಎರಡು ನ9 Lಾಗ Jಾತ= ಗು-. ೆ ೆ ’ೕಡುವ0ದು. (300 %ೆ. ಜಲ(cid:12)(.ೕಣ(cid:30) (cid:31)ೕ(cid:16)ದ ಜಲಸಂಪನೂ(cid:24)ಲಗ(cid:2)ದN ಸಂದಭ(cid:30)ದ12 (cid:11)ೇವಲ ಒಂದು ಜಲಸಂಪನೂ(cid:24)ಲದ (cid:31)ೕನು Pಾಶು(cid:3)ಾರು ಹಕ>ನು(cid:26) Jಾತ= ಗು-. ೆ ಪQೆಯಲು ಸದ(cid:16) (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘ ಅಹ(cid:30):ೆಯನು(cid:26) %ೊಂ9ರುತ.4ೆ.) (ಇ) ಒಂ4ೇ (cid:11)ೆGೆ ೆ, (cid:11)ೆGೆಯ (cid:3)ಾAB.ಯ ಹಲ(cid:3)ಾರು (cid:31)ೕನು ಾ(cid:16)(cid:11)ೆ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾ(cid:16) ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7) ಅ#(cid:30)ಗಳನು(cid:26) ಸ12(ದ12 (cid:27)ದಲSೆಯ ಆದA:ೆಯನು(cid:26) ಾ=ಮ ಮಟCದ (cid:31)ೕನು ಾ(cid:16)(cid:11)ೆ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘ(cid:11)ೆ>, ನಂತರದ ಆದA:ೆಯನು(cid:26) ಅನುಕ=ಮ(cid:3)ಾU %ೋಬ(cid:2) ಮಟCದ, :ಾಲೂ2ಕು ಮಟCದ ಅಥ(cid:3)ಾ #(cid:13)ಾ2 ಮಟCದ (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘ(cid:11)ೆ> ’ೕಡುವ0ದು. (ಈ) ಒಂ4ೇ ಆದA:ೆಯ12 ಬರುವ ಒಂದV>ಂತ %ೆWXನ (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7) ಒಂ4ೇ ಜಲಸಂಪನೂ(cid:24)ಲ(cid:11)ೆ> ಅ#(cid:30) ಸ12(ದN12, ಅ#(cid:30) ಸ12(ರುವ ಅಹ(cid:30) (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ ನಡು(cid:3)ೆ Jಾತ= ಹGಾಜು ನQೆ( (cid:12)(cid:13)ೇ(cid:3)ಾ(cid:16) Jಾಡುವ0ದು. - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR (ಉ) (cid:11)ೆಲವ0 ಆಯN ನ9 Lಾಗಗಳನು(cid:26) / ಅ(cid:2)(cid:3)ೆಗಳನು(cid:26) Jಾತ= (cid:31)ೕನು ಾರರ ಸಹ(cid:11)ಾರ ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7) `ಅಥ(cid:3)ಾ ಮತ.Z ಪ=Lೇದಗಳ ಸಂರ[\ೆ #ೕವ (cid:3)ೈ(cid:12)ಧAಗಳ ಸಂರ[\ೆ ಅಥ(cid:3)ಾ ಕSಾ(cid:30)ಟಕದ (cid:12)]ೇಷ (cid:31)ೕನು ಪ=Lೇದಗಳ ಸಂರ[\ೆ ೋಸ>ರ ಸಂಘI(ರುವ ವನA #ೕ(cid:12) ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7), #ೕವ (cid:3)ೈ(cid:12)ಧA ಸಂರ[\ಾ ಸಂಘಗ(cid:2) ೆ - ಗ(cid:16)ಷC ಎರಡು ನ9 Lಾಗಗಳನು(cid:26) Jಾತ= ಗು-. ೆ ’ೕಡಬಹುದು. ಈ ವನA #ೕ(cid:12) ಸಂಘಗಳ(cid:7) Sೋಂ4ಾ^ತ ಸಂಘಗ_ಾUರ;ೇಕು. (cid:31)ೕನು ಪ=Lೇದಗಳ ಸಂರ[\ೆಯ12 :ೊಡU((cid:11)ೊಂ(cid:10)ರ;ೇಕು. %ಾಗೂ ಅವರ ;ೈ(cid:13)ಾಗಳ12 (cid:31)ೕನು ಸಂರ[\ೆ ಒಂದು ಪ=ಮುಖ ಉ4ೆNೕಶ(cid:3)ಾUರ;ೇಕು." 6. It is clear that in terms of the priority, the first right is reserved to eligible fishing co-operative societies. Even under such category, in terms of the Clause - IV(1) and sub-clause therein, there are further sub categorization of priorities depending on the geographical unit. Needless to state that, if there are co-operative societies, then, the public auction must be limited to those societies and cannot be reserved for other claimants. - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC:19180 WP No. 15379 of 2025 HC-KAR 7. Taking note of the tender notification at Annexure-K, clearly the tender notification does not take note of the priority at Clause (IV) of Annexure-D referred to above. 8. Accordingly, the notification at Annexure-K is set aside. It is clarified that the petitioner cannot insist for grant of fishing rights except as per the procedure provided for in the Government Order at Annexure-D. Accordingly, liberty is reserved to the respondent - State to take fresh steps as is permissible for grant of lease rights for fishing in terms of the Government Order at Annexure-D. 9.
Decision
In light of the above, petition is disposed off. Sd/- (S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE VP