Case Citation:
Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 40070/2025, Supreme Court of India.
(Arising from Karnataka High Court order dated 25-04-2025 in RSA No. 1053/2016)

Related Law:

• Civil Procedure Code (CPC), 1908 – Referral to mediation under Section 89.

• Court-Annexed Mediation Rules (Bangalore Mediation Centre).

Key Points of the Order:

1. Background:
   The petitioner, Rathnamma, filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Karnataka High Court’s judgment dated 25-04-2025 in a Regular Second Appeal (RSA No. 1053/2016).
   The dispute involves Rathnamma (petitioner) and Rudrappa & others (respondents).

2. Supreme Court Proceedings (14-08-2025):
   Notice Issued: The Court issued formal notice to respondents.
   Caveat Acceptance: Senior Counsel Mr. Anand Sanjay M. Null (appearing for respondent no. 7 via caveat) accepted notice, waiving formal service.
   Mediation Proposal: Respondent no. 7 requested referral to the Bangalore Mediation Centre for settlement. The petitioner agreed.

3. Court’s Directive:
   Referral to Mediation: The case is referred to the Bangalore Mediation Centre to explore a mutual settlement.
   Scope: Mediation covers all aspects of the dispute, including events from the date of the original lawsuit filing and subsequent developments.
   Timeline:
   Parties to appear physically before the mediator on 25.08.2025 at 11:00 A.M.
   Mediator to submit a report within two months (by 25.10.2025).
   Status Quo: Both parties must maintain existing conditions ("as of today") in all respects until the next hearing.

4. Next Hearing:
   The case will be listed next on 03.11.2025 along with the mediation report.

Summary:

The Supreme Court directed mediation between Rathnamma and Rudrappa & others to resolve their civil dispute. Both parties agreed to attempt settlement through the Bangalore Mediation Centre, with a strict timeline for proceedings. Until the next hearing, all parties must preserve the current state of affairs (status quo). The Court emphasized that mediation should comprehensively address all issues, including those arising after the original lawsuit.

Order Signed By:
Varsha Mendiratta (Court Master SH) & Manoj Kumar (Court Master NSH).