Gujarat HC rejects Asaram Ashram plea,permits takeover of Motera land

In a significant ruling, the Gujarat High Court on Friday cleared the way for the state government to take possession of nearly 45,000 square metres of prime land allegedly encroached upon by the Motera-based ashram linked to Asaram Bapu.According to information,the land in question is situated near the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium and the Sardar Patel Sports Complex in Motera, an area being developed into a major sports hub as part of preparations for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and positioning the city as Olympic-ready.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, while pronouncing the order, observed that the petitioner trust had not only violated conditions tied to allotment and regularisation of government land but had also encroached upon a substantial area of surrounding open land. The court noted that this included portions of the Sabarmati riverbed, which were allegedly used for illegal occupation over a prolonged period.“In totality of facts and circumstances of the present case, it is evident that the petitioner trust not only violated the conditions of the orders of allotment, regularisation, orders of grants of government land, but also encroached upon a substantial area of open land surrounding the allotted lands, even the land from the riverbed (Sabarmati) for its use and illegal occupation over the period...,” the bench stated.
The court further described the applicant as a “habitual offender,” pointing out that the trust had previously encroached upon around 51,000 square metres of open land along a portion of the Sabarmati river. This finding was established during eviction proceedings that concluded in 2009.
The bench also declined to grant a four-week stay on its order after the government pleader informed the court that a fresh eviction notice would be issued, allowing reasonable time for compliance.The trust, Sant Shri Asaram Ashram, had approached the division bench challenging an earlier order passed by a single bench. It argued that the move was “premeditated,” claiming the land was being taken to facilitate the government’s proposal to develop a sports enclave and utilise the area for proposed Olympic Games infrastructure.Asaram, 84, is serving a life sentence after being convicted of raping a minor girl at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013. He also faced similar charges in Ahmedabad, where he was again sentenced to life imprisonment. He is currently out on interim bail on medical grounds.

(State Correspondent)