The Supreme Court has set aside both a Gujarat High Court directive and a subsequent state government order that sought to reclaim grazing land allotted nearly two decades ago to Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), delivering major relief to the company.
The dispute dates back to July 15, 2005, when the Gujarat government allotted around 9.34 lakh square metres of gauchar (grazing) land in Navinal village to APSEZ for the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), after compensation determined by the state was paid. The land was later formally notified as SEZ land by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
In 2011, the allotment came under challenge when a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Gujarat High Court questioning the state’s 2005 notification and the land allotment, and seeking restoration of the grazing land.
The case took a dramatic turn during a hearing on July 5, 2024, when the state government submitted an affidavit placing on record an order dated July 4, 2024. Through this order, the government directed that about 1.08 lakh square metres of the land allotted in 2005 be taken back. APSEZ contended that the order was passed without issuing any notice or granting the company an opportunity to be heard.
Relying on the state’s affidavit, the Gujarat High Court on July 5, 2024, directed the government to proceed with the process of reclaiming the land.
Challenging this, APSEZ approached the Supreme Court through a special leave petition. On July 10, 2024, the apex court stayed the operation of the High Court’s order.
After completion of pleadings, the matter was heard at length on Tuesday. On the same day, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, quashing the Gujarat High Court’s July 5, 2024 order as well as the state government’s July 4, 2024 decision to take back the land.
With the apex court’s ruling, all rights over the disputed gauchar land continue to vest with Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, bringing the long-running legal battle to a close and providing significant relief to the company.
Also Read: Adani Ports And SEZ Gains As Q1 PAT Climbs 47% YoY To Rs 3,113-Cr https://www.vibesofindia.com/adani-ports-and-sez-gains-as-q1-pat-climbs-47-yoy-to-rs-3113-cr/
