In a brief but slightly crowded session on Thursday, the Supreme Court’s Registrar Court watched a long list of disputes involving Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited move forward-some smoothly, some with the usual hiccups. The atmosphere wasn’t tense, just routine, the kind of day where counsel quickly stand up, note the directions, and the court keeps the files rolling. The registrar, Mashroor Alam Khan, steered the hearing, issuing a series of deadlines across more than two dozen Special Leave Petitions.
Background
These matters arise from different petitioners and respondents but revolve around Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited, a state-run irrigation body. Most petitions relate to procedural delays-missing affidavits, incomplete service, and respondents not showing up even after proper notice.
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On Thursday, several respondents again did not enter appearance despite confirmed service. A lawyer whispered outside the courtroom, half joking, “In some of these Karnataka matters, we only fight with deadlines, not each other.”
Court’s Observations
The registrar took note that in SLP(C) Nos. 25661, 25697, 25671, 25677, 25686, 25701, 25713, 25695, 25676, 25672, 25691, 25683, 25681, 25700, 25673, 25712, 25682, 25680, 25699, 25679, 25674, 25711, 25698, 25705, and 25678/2025, service was complete but nobody appeared for the respondents.
“The bench observed, ‘If service is complete and still no one appears, the matters will simply be processed for listing before the Hon’ble Court under the rules.’” That set the tone for the rest of the session.
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In SLP(C) No. 25708/2025, the court granted four weeks to respondent no.1 to file the counter affidavit, noting again that respondent no.2 remained absent.
Similarly, for SLP(C) Nos. 25704/2025 and 25830/2025, the petitioner received two weeks to take “fresh steps”-a simple phrase meaning they must correct service defects or update addresses for respondents.
Another moment came during SLP(C) No. 25710/2025, where Advocate Patil Rekha Chandra Gouda had replaced the earlier standing counsel. The registrar remarked that she hadn't filed the memo of appearance yet, giving her four weeks to do so along with the counter affidavit. “The bench observed, ‘The replacement is noted, but paperwork must follow.’”
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Decision
By the end of the hearing, the court issued a structured set of directions:
- Several matters will be processed for listing before the main bench.
- Counter affidavits must be filed within four weeks in multiple SLPs.
- Petitioners in certain matters must take fresh steps within one or two weeks.
- Many cases are now scheduled for 19 January 2026, depending on compliance.
With that, the registrar concluded the session with clear timelines, leaving the parties to complete the procedural tasks before the matters return to the main bench.
Case Title: Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited vs. Shivalingappa Amarappa Harti & Ors.
Case No.: SLP(C) Nos. 25661/2025, 25697/2025, 25671/2025, 25677/2025, 25686/2025, 25701/2025, 25713/2025, 25695/2025, 25676/2025, 25672/2025, 25691/2025, 25683/2025, 25681/2025, 25700/2025, 25673/2025, 25712/2025, 25682/2025, 25680/2025, 25699/2025, 25679/2025, 25674/2025, 25711/2025, 25698/2025, 25705/2025, 25678/2025, 25708/2025, 25704/2025, 25830/2025, 25710/2025, 25702/2025, 25312/2025, 25685/2025, 25703/2025
Case Type: Special Leave Petition (Civil)
Decision Date: 27 November 2025