Karnataka HC Quashes BMIC Land Acquisitions After 23‑Year Delay Major Win for Farmers
In July 2025, the Karnataka High Court struck down multiple land acquisition notifications for the Bangalore–Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC). Delayed awards—over 23 years—meant farmers never received due compensation, prompting fresh rulings in their favor. We analyze the case, its significance, and implications.
The BMIC/NICE project was initiated in 1998 to build a corridor connecting Bengaluru and Mysuru. Over 20,000+ acres were earmarked, but from 1998 to 2009, multiple government acquisition notifications were issued. Yet no award of compensation was processed even after 23 years, depriving farmers of land usage and income .
Court’s Decision
On July 7–8, 2025, a single‑judge bench of the Karnataka HC, led by Justice R. Devdas, quashed all notifications from 1998–2009 under Section 28 of the KIAD Act. The court cited:
• No compensation awarded despite land being idle.
• Reliance on a precedent (Shakunthalamma case) where a similar delay of 11+ years overturned acquisitions .
• Landowners have been deprived of agricultural livelihood for over two decades ().
Ordered Remedy
The court directed the Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) to issue fresh awards within three months, calculable based on land value as of April 22, 2019—overturning the government’s argument to use outdated valuations .
Legal Foundations
• The decision aligns with Article 300A, ensuring citizens cannot be deprived of property without just compensation .
• It builds on precedent from the Shakunthalamma case (11-year delay) and echoes similar HC rulings that struck other stalled acquisitions (e.g., NICE and ISRO cases) .
Impact on Landowners & Policy
• Farmers will finally receive legally-accurate compensation reflective of 2019 valuations, not outdated ones.
• The ruling pressures state agencies like KIADB and NICE to proactively process awards for stalled cases or risk legal nullification.
• The verdict reaffirms decades-old land rights and signals a shift toward timely award processing.
What Happens Next?
1. SLAO must act swiftly—issue awards by mid‑October 2025.
2. Affected landowners to verify if land falls under quashed notifications.
3. New valuations (April 2019-based) will determine compensation.
4. Potential ripple effect: Other dormant acquisitions (like for NICE/ISRO/BDA projects) may now face renewed challenges.
Conclusion
The July 2025 verdict restores the rule of law and economic justice to rural landowners impacted by two decades of institutional inertia. It underscores that property rights cannot be held hostage, rebalancing the state-citizen equation in land acquisition.
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