Bengaluru, July 20: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the land acquisition for the Bidadi Township project. This ruling comes as a significant relief for the Congress government and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
The court heard the PIL concerning the acquisition of 516 acres of agricultural land for the ‘Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project.’ The petition was filed by K.B. Rajesh and was reviewed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhakar Bhakru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha.
During the proceedings, the bench noted that the acquisition process may vary and that a specific law could be utilized to provide better compensation. The state claimed that compensation was being offered under the provisions of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, and the petitioners were asked to specify any legal violations.
Rajesh, representing himself, argued that the government is using over 9,400 acres of land for real estate development while farmers wish to continue farming. He further stated that farmers have been protesting against this project for nearly 500 days and insisted that at least 80 percent of landowners’ consent is necessary for the project to proceed.
The bench reiterated that it would not assess the merits of the project and instructed the petitioner to identify any legal flaws in the acquisition process. When the petitioner began to mention potential political changes after 2028, the court interrupted, stating that this was not a platform for political discussion and requested proof of any legal violations.
Following this, the High Court dismissed the PIL challenging the land acquisition notification for the Bidadi Integrated Township Project.
On July 15, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar clarified that farmers’ land would not be forcibly acquired under any circumstances for the proposed Bidadi Township Project (BTP). He announced that the government would form an expert committee within the next two to three months to review the project’s legal and other aspects.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Bidadi Township is not his “dream project” and that he did not initiate it. He accused political opponents of misleading farmers and conspiring against them. He stated, “I am not in a hurry. This decision is left to the farmers. There is a trust relationship between the farmers and me. The committee will listen to farmers’ objections, examine legal aspects, and only after the report is submitted will the government make further decisions.”
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