1 week ago
Karnataka High Court Restricts Bidadi Project Work Without Permission
Four farmers asked the Karnataka High Court to review the government’s plan to acquire their land for the Bidadi Township project.
The farmers said most landowners had not agreed to give up their land.
The government said the acquisition process was still at an early stage.
Government lawyers also promised that farmers would not be forcibly removed.
The court said no trees could be cut and no building materials could be moved without its permission.
It also said farmers could not face forceful action without court approval.
The government must first finalize compensation and show the details to the court.
The main hearing was postponed to September 29, while related petitions will be heard on September 1.
The Karnataka High Court ordered that no construction materials be moved or trees cut in the Bidadi Township project area without court permission.
The direction came during a petition by four farmers challenging land acquisition for the Bidadi Smart City project.
The court said farmers cannot face coercive action after compensation is announced unless the High Court permits it.
Farmers’ lawyers disputed the government’s claim that many landowners had voluntarily agreed to surrender their land.
The government assured the court that no farmer would be evicted before compensation is finalized and presented to the court.
- Who
- The Karnataka High Court, four farmers, the state government, and the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority are involved.
- What
- The court restricted construction activity, tree cutting, eviction, and other coercive action in the Bidadi Township project area without court permission.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Bidadi Township, also called the Bidadi Smart City project, in Karnataka.
- When
- The main petition was adjourned to September 29, and related petitions were listed for September 1.
- Why
- Four farmers challenged the land acquisition process and questioned claims that many farmers had voluntarily surrendered their land.
Farmers’ objections
Government’s assurances
Voluntary land surrender
Farmers’ objections
The farmers’ counsel said the government had provided no official documents supporting its claim that many farmers voluntarily agreed to give up their land, and argued that fewer than 5 percent had agreed.
Government’s assurances
The Greater Bengaluru Development Authority and the state government said the acquisition was still at a preliminary stage and assured the court that farmers would not be forcibly evicted.
Timing of action
Farmers’ objections
The farmers challenged the acquisition process and objected to possible coercive action after compensation was announced.
Government’s assurances
The Advocate General assured the court that no coercive steps would be taken before compensation was finalized, placed before the court, and brought to its notice.
Project activity and property
Farmers’ objections
The court expressed concern about immediate bulldozing and overnight destruction of property.
Government’s assurances
The government said proceedings would not move abruptly, while the court required permission before construction materials were moved or trees were cut.
Key facts
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Project
- Bidadi Township project, also referred to as the Bidadi Smart City project
- Petitioners
- Four farmers
- Court direction
- No brick or other construction material may be moved and no tree may be cut without court permission.
- Eviction assurance
- The government said no farmer would be evicted until compensation was finally fixed.
- Next main hearing
- September 29
- Related petitions
- Listed for hearing on September 1
Quotes
Justice R Nataraj
Single-judge Karnataka High Court judge hearing the farmers’ challenge to the Bidadi Township land acquisition process
“How can you bring a bulldozer immediately after fixing the compensation amount? The government should not indulge in overnight destruction of property.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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