Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Gangavathi Municipality Takes Over Rs 50-Crore Government Land
A long time ago, a club called the Public Club started using a big piece of land in a city called Gangavathi.
The land stayed with the club for almost 79 years.
The land is worth more than 50 crore rupees, which is a huge amount of money.
The city council checked very old government records.
Those records showed that the land actually belongs to the government, not the club.
The club was asked many times to show papers that proved they owned the land, but they could not.
So the city council took the land back and locked the buildings.
Many buildings on the land have shops, a school, and a sports court.
The people who run those places were told to leave, or they may face trouble with the law.
The city council will decide how to use the land for the public's benefit.
The Gangavathi City Municipal Council took possession of nearly 1.33 acres of prime government land worth more than Rs 50 crore.
The land, held by an entity operating as the 'Public Club' for nearly 79 years, sits in Survey No. 198 between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle and Neelakantheshwara Circle.
Officials led by Commissioner R. Virupakshamurthy locked the premises after the takeover, which followed a Regional Commissioner's ruling based on revenue records from before 1950.
The premises contain more than 50 structures, including Channabasavaswamy Kala Bhavan, a badminton court, a private higher primary school, and commercial establishments.
The commissioner directed commercial occupants to vacate or face legal action, and a committee may be formed to decide the land's use for public purposes.
- Who
- The Gangavathi City Municipal Council (CMC), led by Commissioner R. Virupakshamurthy, versus the entity operating as the 'Public Club'.
- What
- The CMC took possession of 1.33 acres of prime government land worth more than Rs 50 crore and locked the premises.
- When
- On Wednesday; the land had been under the Public Club's control for nearly 79 years.
- Where
- Gangavathi, at Survey No. 198 between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle and Neelakantheshwara Circle, behind the Head Post Office.
- Why
- Historical revenue records proved the land belongs to the government, and no valid ownership documents were produced despite repeated notices.
Government/Municipal Position
Public Club/Occupants' Position
Land ownership
Government/Municipal Position
Revenue records dated before 1950 show the land belongs to the government, and the club produced no authentic title documents despite repeated notices.
Public Club/Occupants' Position
The Public Club controlled the land for nearly 79 years, and the land had been under dispute for several years.
Occupants' buildings and leases
Government/Municipal Position
Structures were built on government land, and the commissioner warned that legal action would be taken against those who fail to vacate.
Public Club/Occupants' Position
Many occupants invested substantial amounts in constructing buildings after allegedly obtaining 99-year lease agreements from private individuals.
- Land area
- Nearly 1.33 acres
- Estimated value
- More than Rs 50 crore
- Location
- Survey No. 198, between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle and Neelakantheshwara Circle, Gangavathi
- Previous occupier
- Entity operating as 'Public Club' for nearly 79 years
- Structures on premises
- More than 50, including Channabasavaswamy Kala Bhavan, a badminton court, a private higher primary school, and commercial establishments
- Authorities involved
- Gangavathi City Municipal Council; Commissioner R. Virupakshamurthy; Regional Commissioner
- Legal basis
- Revenue records dating before 1950 show government ownership; no valid title documents were produced
- Next steps
- Commercial occupants directed to vacate; possible committee for public-purpose development