Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Feb 23: The state High Court (HC), on Tuesday February 22, warned the state government, that it will have to return the acquired lands to the original owners, if the land so acquired is not taken into possession and developed within five years.

“Before sanctioning land to educational or social service institutions, the government should go into the details. The organizations that have been in the education sector for at least five years should alone be considered for the allotment of land. The government is not right in sanctioning land to newly started educational institutions, by throwing the relative rules to winds,” commented Justice D V Shylendra Kumar.

In 2004, the government had granted eight acres of land located in Somashetty Halli within Yashwantpur revenue division on lease to Matru Shikshana Trust. But this institution neither took possession of the land, nor paid the lease amount. Poojappa and others, through a writ petition, had contended that the government, by not taking back the land sanctioned to the trust, has violated Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1997.

The judge, before adjourning the hearing, said that the case was serious, and asked the government to go into the issue and submit a report to the HC.