Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Gujarat HC Fines ASI, Rejects Land Compensation Delay Appeal
The Gujarat High Court has rejected the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) request to excuse a long delay in paying compensation to farmers whose land was taken for the Dholavira UNESCO heritage site.
The court fined the ASI ₹1 lakh for not paying the ₹1.20 crore compensation on time.
The farmers had waited since 2005 for their money.
The court said the ASI was negligent and tried to delay the process.
Dholavira is an important ancient city site from the Indus Valley civilization, discovered in 1968 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Gujarat High Court rejected ASI's revision plea for condoning 718-day delay in land compensation payment.
Court fined ASI ₹1 lakh for negligence and suppression of facts in the Dholavira heritage site case.
ASI was ordered to pay ₹1.20 crore compensation to nine farmers for 100 acres of land acquired in 2004-2005.
District court had directed payment in 2023, but ASI failed to deposit the amount despite repeated assurances.
Dholavira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and significant Indus Valley civilization archaeological site.
- Who
- Gujarat High Court, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), nine farmers from Dholavira
- What
- Rejection of ASI's revision plea on land acquisition compensation delay and imposition of fine
- When
- 2004-2005 (land acquisition), 2023 (district court order), 2025 (HC order)
- Where
- Dholavira, Kutch District, Gujarat, India
- Why
- ASI's delay in depositing compensation and suppression of facts
- Compensation Amount
- ₹1.20 crore
- Compensation Rate
- ₹9.57 per square meter
- Fine Imposed
- ₹1 lakh
- Delay Condoned
- 718 days
- Land Acquired
- 100 acres
- UNESCO Status
- 2021
- Site Discovery
- 1968