Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has given the green signal for the takeover of around 45,000 square metres of land belonging to Asaram Ashram, paving the way for the demolition of over 30 illegal structures. The land will be used for the upcoming Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, proposed to be developed in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games, which Ahmedabad is set to host in 2030.

The state government informed the court that the land, allotted decades ago for limited religious use, was gradually expanded beyond the permitted boundaries. The original allotment explicitly prohibited commercial activities and unauthorised construction and required strict adherence to approval norms.

Investigations revealed that extensive construction had been carried out beyond the allotted land. The government also pointed out that the ashram had made repeated attempts to regularise illegal structures, strengthening the state’s case.

Appearing for the state, Chief Government Counsel G.H. Virk told the court that the action was neither sudden nor arbitrary. He said the ashram was served multiple notices—more than legally required—and was given ample opportunities to present its case. The government argued that public land cannot be legitimised through gradual encroachment.

Amid growing public concern over the misuse of government land, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation rejected more than 30 applications seeking regularisation of illegal constructions at the Motera-based ashram. The civic body maintained that unauthorised structures cannot be legalised, particularly in a rapidly developing and sensitive urban area.

With the High Court’s nod, land that had remained tied up in litigation for years is now set to revert to state control.

Officials said the ashram complex, valued at around ₹500 crore, contains 32 illegal constructions. The AMC had issued demolition notices and, on January 21, 2026, rejected the ashram’s impact fee application, directing the matter to be placed before the Appellate Authority. The civic body has also decided to appoint a lawyer to pursue the case expeditiously. DeshGujarat