IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION No.17950 OF 2014 (GM-KEB) BETWEEN:
1. Executive Engineer Bruhat Kamagari Vibhaga, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., Near KSRTC Depot Road, Chitradurga – 577 501.
2. Asst. Executive Engineer, T.L.S.S, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., R.Hanumanthappa Building, P.B.Road, Chitradurga – 577 501.
(By Sri.H.V.Devaraju, Advocate for Sri.N.K.Gupta, Advocate) AND:
1. Sri.S.M.Prabhu S/o late Sri.Yaraguntaiah, Aged about 45 years, Resident of Chitradurga District – 577 501.
2. Sri.S.M.Sreekantaiah S/o late Sri.Yaraguntaiah, Major, …Petitioners Resident of Sajjanakere Hobli, Kasaba Hobli, Chitradurga Taluk – 577 501.
….Respondents (By Sri.R.Shashidhara, Advocate for R1 and R2) This writ petition is filed under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India praying to call for the connected records relating to Annexure-D dated 14.06.2013 passed in Misc. No.69/2011 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga and etc.
This writ petition coming on for Hearing, this day, the Court made the following:
ORDER The petitioners have challenged the judgment and award dated 14.06.2013 passed in Miscellaneous No.69/2011 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga, whereby it has been held that the respondent is entitled for compensation of `70,640/- with interest at 6% p.a. from the date of petition till payment and the petitioners herein have been directed to pay compensation amount along with accrued interest.
2. The respondents had filed the petition under Section 51 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 read with Section 16(3) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 seeking compensation for drawing up of Electrical Lines in his land bearing Sy.No.163/2 situated at Sajjanakere Village, Kasaba Hobli, Chitradurga Taluk, measuring to an extent of 3 acres. Out of which, 56.51 guntas of land was utilized by the petitioners for transmitting electricity line for drawing up of 400 KV High Tension wire and installing tower. On considering the claim of the respondent, learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, Chitradurga has passed the judgment and award wherein, diminution value of the land is determined at 50% of the market value of the land, which has been impugned herein.
3. Learned counsel Sri. H. V. Devaraju, appearing for the petitioners would submit that the diminution value of the land determined at 50% of the total market value is contrary to the law laid down by this Court in the case of ‘THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, KPTCL VS. DODDAKKA’ reported in ILR 2015 KAR 677, where in identical circumstances, the cognate Bench of this Court has determined the Diminution value of the land at 30% of the market value of the area affected.
4. Learned counsel Sri. R. Shashidhara, appearing for the respondents supports the order impugned.
5. As could be seen from the material available on record, learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, Chitradurga has proceeded to determine the diminution value of land at 50% of the total market value. However, no reasons are recorded for arriving at 50% of the total market value. Ex. P.13 is the certificate issued by the Sub-Registrar, which indicates the market value of the land. Indeed, the order of this Court in ‘DODDAKKA’ (Supra) was not available to consider the diminution value at 30% as now contended by the learned counsel for the petitioners.
6. At this juncture, it is beneficial to refer to the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in Competition Commission of India Vs. Steel Authority of India Ltd. and another reported in JT 2010 (10) SC 26 wherein it is observed thus;
“25. Reasons are the links between the materials on which certain conclusions are based and the actual conclusions. By practice adopted in all Courts and by virtue of Judge-made law, the concept of reasoned judgment has become an indispensable part of basic rule of law and in fact, is a mandatory requirement of the procedural law. Clarity of thoughts leads to clarity of vision and therefore, proper reasoning is foundation of a just and fair decision”.
7. It is well settled legal principle that reason is the heart beat and soul of the order/judgment without which the order/judgment becomes lifeless. In the absence of reasons, it is hard to ascertain the mind of the Court on the basis of which the determination has been made.
8. Hence, this Court deems it proper to set aside the judgment and award impugned dated 14.06.2013 at Annexure-D and restore the proceedings to the file of the learned District Judge to reconsider the matter and take a decision in accordance with law keeping in mind the judgment of this Court in Doddakka case, supra and is ordered accordingly. Both the parties are permitted to lead additional evidence if any, in support of their claim.
With the aforesaid observations and directions, writ petition stands disposed of.
Sd/- JUDGE Mds/-