“Whether the lands bearing RS Nos.971/1, 972/2 and 971/3 measuring 26 acres 32 guntas situated within Belagavi city are the lands as defined under Section 2(18) of the Karnatak a Land Reforms Act, 1961 (for short ‘the Act’) and Sections 79A and 79B of the Act can be applied to them?” is the question involved in this case.

2. The aforesaid lands were the Watan lands belonging to one Kulkarni family. Under order Annexure ‘B’ dated 18.08.1960 they were re-granted to the said Watandar under the Bombay Hereditary Offices Act 1827. Though initially the said lands situated within the limits of Belagavi village, on declaration of Belagavi agglomeration area, they came under the umbrella of Belagavi City Municipal Corporation as well as Belagavi Urban Development Authority. Under the revised Master Plan 2014, Belagavi Urban Development Authority earmarked the said lands for the public and semi-public purpose as they situate in the heart of Belagavi City.

3. The land owners along with their power of attorney holder/assignor Shankar Hanumantappa Munavalli sold the said lands to the respondents under the registered sale deeds ‘C1’ to ‘C9’ dated 23.01.2015, 24.01.2015, 31.01.2015, 06.02.20