Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Refuses Stay on NICE Road Probe
The NICE Road project has been the subject of a long dispute over land and compensation.
The Karnataka High Court ordered an independent investigation and a forensic audit into alleged problems with the project.
NICE asked the Supreme Court to pause those orders while it challenged them.
NICE said some of the project was already built and farmers had been compensated.
Lawyers for affected farmers disagreed, saying the compensation was not fair and alleging irregularities.
The Supreme Court did not pause the High Court’s orders.
So the investigation and audit directions remain in place.
The Supreme Court declined to pause a Karnataka High Court order directing an independent investigation and forensic audit into alleged NICE Road project irregularities.
The NICE organisation had asked the court to suspend the directions or maintain the status quo while its appeal was considered.
NICE told the court about 25% of the project was complete and nearly 1,100 acres had been used.
NICE also said compensation had been paid to farmers whose land was acquired for the project.
Farmers’ lawyers opposed the request, alleging unfair compensation and irregularities; the High Court directions remain in force.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the NICE organisation, and lawyers representing affected farmers.
- What
- The Supreme Court refused interim relief from Karnataka High Court directions for an independent investigation and forensic audit.
- When
- The articles do not specify the date of the hearing.
- Where
- The Supreme Court in New Delhi; the project and High Court order concern Karnataka.
- Why
- NICE sought to pause the investigation and audit directions while its challenge was considered; affected farmers opposed the request.
NICE organisation
Affected farmers
Whether to pause the High Court directions
NICE organisation
NICE asked the Supreme Court to suspend the investigation and audit directions, or alternatively maintain the status quo while its appeal was decided.
Affected farmers
Lawyers for affected farmers opposed NICE’s request and argued that landowners had not received fair compensation.
Project land and compensation
NICE organisation
NICE said nearly 1,100 acres had been utilised and compensation had been paid to farmers whose land was acquired.
Affected farmers
Farmers’ lawyers said their land had been used for a prolonged period and alleged that irregularities had occurred.
- Court decision
- The Supreme Court declined to grant an interim stay.
- High Court directions
- An independent investigation and forensic audit into alleged project irregularities.
- Applicant
- The NICE organisation challenged the Karnataka High Court order.
- Project completion claim
- NICE said about 25% of the project had been completed.
- Land claim
- NICE said nearly 1,100 acres had been utilised.
- Farmers’ position
- Their lawyers alleged unfair compensation and irregularities, and said the dispute had continued for more than 23 years.