Gujarat High Court Upholds State Move to Reclaim 45,000 Sq Metres of Land from Asaram Ashram in Ahmedabad

The Gujarat High Court has upheld the state government’s decision to reclaim more than 45,000 square metres of public land from the Asaram Ashram located in Motera, Ahmedabad. The court agreed with the government’s position, noting that the land occupies a strategically important location next to the Narendra Modi Stadium and the Sardar Patel Sports Complex.

The ruling clears a long-standing legal hurdle, allowing the land to return to state control at a time when Ahmedabad is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursuing its broader ambition of developing Olympic-standard sports infrastructure.

During the proceedings, the state government placed records before the court showing that the land had been allotted several decades ago strictly for limited religious use. However, authorities argued that the terms of the allotment were violated, as the land was later used for unauthorised construction and commercial activities.

Accepting these submissions, the High Court validated the government’s action to reclaim the land, paving the way for its use in the development of world-class sporting facilities in the area.