By T. N. Sampangi Ram Reddy
The recent judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka concerning nearly 2 acres of government land in Sy. No. 2/15 of Tirupalya Village, Jigani Hobli, Anekal Taluk marks the culmination of a struggle that has lasted for more than three decades. For the villagers who consistently opposed the encroachment, the judgment is not merely a legal victory but a reaffirmation that public property must remain with the public. However, the true purpose of this prolonged battle will be achieved only when the Government physically reclaims the land and restores it for public use.
The dispute began in 1994 when T. Krishna allegedly encroached upon government land reserved for public purposes. From the outset, villagers repeatedly approached revenue authorities and other government departments seeking intervention. What followed was a prolonged legal battle spanning civil courts, criminal proceedings, revenue forums and statutory authorities. Even today, some connected proceedings remain pending before trial courts and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Authorities.
Over the years, structures were established on the disputed property in the name of Suryodaya Educational Trust, with boards displaying institutions such as Suryodaya PU College, Degree College and Law College. However, serious questions arose regarding the ownership of the land and the legality of the constructions. Contradictory claims were also allegedly made before different authorities. On one hand, it was represented that the land belonged to T. Krishna’s wife and had been leased to the trust. On the other, T. Krishna approached the High Court in 2023 seeking a direction to grant the very same land in favour of the institution for educational purposes. This contradiction itself demonstrated that no lawful title existed over the government land.
Throughout the dispute, villagers consistently alleged that fabricated and misleading documents were produced before revenue, municipal and educational authorities in support of claims over the property. Despite numerous proceedings over three decades, no valid ownership document establishing lawful title to the land was ever produced.
What made the issue more serious was the manner in which the land was allegedly utilised. Apart from unauthorised constructions, portions of the property were reportedly used for commercial activities, including vehicle parking and other revenue-generating purposes. Public property earmarked for community welfare was effectively converted into a private commercial asset while the Government remained deprived of possession.
The struggle came at enormous personal cost to the villagers. Those opposing the encroachment faced repeated threats, intimidation, harassment and prolonged legal proceedings. Criminal complaints and counter-complaints became routine. According to records available with the villagers, proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were initiated against certain government officials connected with the dispute, and a rowdy sheet was reportedly opened against T. Krishna at Hebbagodi Police Station. Villagers allege that such developments created an atmosphere of fear that discouraged decisive administrative action for many years.
There were also repeated allegations of intimidation by groups allegedly associated with the encroachment. Villagers lived for years under constant fear for their safety and that of their families. Despite approaching police authorities on several occasions, they claim they were often advised only to contact emergency helpline 112 if any incident occurred, a response they believe failed to address the seriousness of the situation.
In 2023, six petitioners approached the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka by filing Public Interest Litigation W.P. No. 20413/2023. The litigation represented a collective effort by villagers determined to protect public land.
A significant turning point came in July 2025 when Advocate Shubhankar, a young advocate practising before the High Court of Karnataka, entered appearance in the matter. He examined decades of revenue records, pleadings, proceedings and court documents before presenting detailed arguments over multiple hearings. Within less than a year of his appearance, the matter reached its conclusion before the Division Bench comprising Hon’ble The Chief and Hon’ble Mr. Justice C.M. Poonacha.
Most importantly, the villagers’ long-standing stand ultimately found support from the Government’s own revenue authorities. Before the High Court, the Tahsildar, Anekal Taluk, filed a statement confirming that nearly 2 acres of government land in Sy. No. 2/15 had been encroached upon. Shubhankar further pressed before the Court that the land had been earmarked for public purposes, including a Primary Health Centre, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation infrastructure and a public road. It was also stated that unauthorised constructions, including a multi-storeyed building, commercial complex and school, had been raised without approval and that no valid ownership documents had been produced.
Taking note of these findings, the High Court directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps for protection of the government property to the fullest extent permissible in law.
The significance of these observations cannot be overstated. The question of ownership now stands settled by the Government’s own authorities and recognised by the High Court. What remains is implementation.
Every delay in reclaiming the property deprives the public of land reserved for essential civic purposes such as healthcare, infrastructure and public development. Continued inaction would send a dangerous message that even after clear findings by revenue authorities and directions from the High Court, illegal occupation of public land can continue without consequence.
After more than 30 years of struggle, the villagers now look to the revenue authorities to act swiftly and decisively. They seek immediate recovery of possession, removal of unauthorised structures in accordance with law and restoration of the land for the public purposes for which it was originally reserved.
The battle over the land was never about private ownership or personal gain. It was about protecting public property and preserving faith in the rule of law. Only when the land is physically reclaimed and restored to the Government will the sacrifices made by generations of villagers truly receive the recognition they deserve. More importantly, it will reaffirm a fundamental principle: public land belongs to the public, and no individual, regardless of influence or power, can appropriate it for private gain.
The recent judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka concerning nearly 2 acres of government land in Sy. No. 2/15 of Tirupalya Village, Jigani Hobli, Anekal Taluk marks the culmination of a struggle that has lasted for more than three decades. For the villagers who consistently opposed the encroachment, the judgment is not merely a legal victory but a reaffirmation that public property must remain with the public. However, the true purpose of this prolonged battle will be achieved only when the Government physically reclaims the land and restores it for public use.
The dispute began in 1994 when T. Krishna allegedly encroached upon government land reserved for public purposes. From the outset, villagers repeatedly approached revenue authorities and other government departments seeking intervention. What followed was a prolonged legal battle spanning civil courts, criminal proceedings, revenue forums and statutory authorities. Even today, some connected proceedings remain pending before trial courts and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Authorities.
Over the years, structures were established on the disputed property in the name of Suryodaya Educational Trust, with boards displaying institutions such as Suryodaya PU College, Degree College and Law College. However, serious questions arose regarding the ownership of the land and the legality of the constructions. Contradictory claims were also allegedly made before different authorities. On one hand, it was represented that the land belonged to T. Krishna’s wife and had been leased to the trust. On the other, T. Krishna approached the High Court in 2023 seeking a direction to grant the very same land in favour of the institution for educational purposes. This contradiction itself demonstrated that no lawful title existed over the government land.
Throughout the dispute, villagers consistently alleged that fabricated and misleading documents were produced before revenue, municipal and educational authorities in support of claims over the property. Despite numerous proceedings over three decades, no valid ownership document establishing lawful title to the land was ever produced.
What made the issue more serious was the manner in which the land was allegedly utilised. Apart from unauthorised constructions, portions of the property were reportedly used for commercial activities, including vehicle parking and other revenue-generating purposes. Public property earmarked for community welfare was effectively converted into a private commercial asset while the Government remained deprived of possession.
The struggle came at enormous personal cost to the villagers. Those opposing the encroachment faced repeated threats, intimidation, harassment and prolonged legal proceedings. Criminal complaints and counter-complaints became routine. According to records available with the villagers, proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were initiated against certain government officials connected with the dispute, and a rowdy sheet was reportedly opened against T. Krishna at Hebbagodi Police Station. Villagers allege that such developments created an atmosphere of fear that discouraged decisive administrative action for many years.
There were also repeated allegations of intimidation by groups allegedly associated with the encroachment. Villagers lived for years under constant fear for their safety and that of their families. Despite approaching police authorities on several occasions, they claim they were often advised only to contact emergency helpline 112 if any incident occurred, a response they believe failed to address the seriousness of the situation.
In 2023, six petitioners approached the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka by filing Public Interest Litigation W.P. No. 20413/2023. The litigation represented a collective effort by villagers determined to protect public land.
A significant turning point came in July 2025 when Advocate Shubhankar, a young advocate practising before the High Court of Karnataka, entered appearance in the matter. He examined decades of revenue records, pleadings, proceedings and court documents before presenting detailed arguments over multiple hearings. Within less than a year of his appearance, the matter reached its conclusion before the Division Bench comprising Hon’ble The Chief and Hon’ble Mr. Justice C.M. Poonacha.
Most importantly, the villagers’ long-standing stand ultimately found support from the Government’s own revenue authorities. Before the High Court, the Tahsildar, Anekal Taluk, filed a statement confirming that nearly 2 acres of government land in Sy. No. 2/15 had been encroached upon. Shubhankar further pressed before the Court that the land had been earmarked for public purposes, including a Primary Health Centre, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation infrastructure and a public road. It was also stated that unauthorised constructions, including a multi-storeyed building, commercial complex and school, had been raised without approval and that no valid ownership documents had been produced.
Taking note of these findings, the High Court directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps for protection of the government property to the fullest extent permissible in law.
The significance of these observations cannot be overstated. The question of ownership now stands settled by the Government’s own authorities and recognised by the High Court. What remains is implementation.
Every delay in reclaiming the property deprives the public of land reserved for essential civic purposes such as healthcare, infrastructure and public development. Continued inaction would send a dangerous message that even after clear findings by revenue authorities and directions from the High Court, illegal occupation of public land can continue without consequence.
After more than 30 years of struggle, the villagers now look to the revenue authorities to act swiftly and decisively. They seek immediate recovery of possession, removal of unauthorised structures in accordance with law and restoration of the land for the public purposes for which it was originally reserved.
The battle over the land was never about private ownership or personal gain. It was about protecting public property and preserving faith in the rule of law. Only when the land is physically reclaimed and restored to the Government will the sacrifices made by generations of villagers truly receive the recognition they deserve. More importantly, it will reaffirm a fundamental principle: public land belongs to the public, and no individual, regardless of influence or power, can appropriate it for private gain.
