Sat Jan 31 17:00:08 UTC 2026: ### Karnataka High Court Upholds Land Acquisition for Bengaluru Mega Market

The Story:
The Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench has affirmed a previous ruling, upholding notifications issued in 1994 for the acquisition of approximately 270 acres of land belonging to the Jamanlal Bajaj Seva Trust. The land was acquired by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Bengaluru, for the purpose of establishing a mega market. The court dismissed the trust’s appeals against the single judge’s February 3, 2025, verdict, which had dismissed the trust’s initial petitions filed in 1999 and 2000.

The court emphasized the state’s right to acquire land for public purposes, provided it adheres to relevant statutes, in this case, the Land Acquisition Act. The bench also upheld the single judge’s directive that the state government pay compensation to the trust at the rate agreed upon in September 1999, along with 12% annual interest from the date of compensation award.

Key Points:

  • The Karnataka High Court upheld the acquisition of 270 acres of land belonging to the Jamanlal Bajaj Seva Trust.
  • The land was acquired for the APMC, Bengaluru, to establish a mega market.
  • The original land acquisition notifications were issued in 1994.
  • The Jamanlal Bajaj Seva Trust filed petitions challenging the acquisition in 1999 and 2000.
  • The court directed the state government to pay compensation to the trust with 12% annual interest, as agreed in September 1999.

Key Takeaways:

  • This ruling ends a decades-long legal battle over the land acquisition.
  • The court reaffirms the state’s power to acquire land for public purposes, emphasizing adherence to legal statutes.
  • The decision provides clarity and allows the APMC to proceed with its plans for the mega market.

Impact Analysis:

The Karnataka High Court’s decision to uphold the land acquisition for the APMC mega market has significant long-term implications for Bengaluru’s agricultural infrastructure and economy.

  • Economic Growth: The mega market is expected to boost the local economy by streamlining the agricultural supply chain, reducing waste, and providing farmers with better access to markets. This will lead to increased income for farmers and more competitive prices for consumers.

  • Infrastructure Development: The establishment of a modern agricultural market will create jobs in various sectors, including transportation, storage, and processing.

  • Precedent Setting: The court’s reaffirmation of the state’s power to acquire land for public purposes, under the Land Acquisition Act, sets a legal precedent. This could influence future land acquisition cases, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and adherence to legal procedures.

  • Agricultural Modernization: A modern market, facilitated by digitisation of supply chain and modern technology to improve productivity will lead to improving the agriculture sector

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