Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on an appeal filed by the Asaram Ashram against a February 5 single-judge order that upheld the state government and the Amdavad Municipal Corporation’s move to reclaim 45,000 sq m of government land occupied by the Ashram. The court directed that no coercive action be taken until the judgment is delivered.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray recorded the state’s submission that it had earlier undertaken not to act on an eviction notice under Section 202 of the Gujarat Land Revenue Code, 1879 for two weeks from February 5. That protection ended on February 19, 2026. The Bench extended relief, ordering that no coercive steps be taken against the Ashram pending the verdict.

The Ashram argued that only around 39,000 sq m had been allotted to it, disputing findings by the City Deputy Collector and the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal that it was in possession of over 49,000 sq m, including alleged encroachments.

Challenging the land survey, the Ashram questioned the measurements. The state defended the exercise, stating that Differential GPS (DGPS) technology was used to ensure high accuracy across the river area, Old Gamtal area and disputed survey plots.

The state also alleged violations of allotment conditions, including encroachments and commercial activities. After hearing both sides, the High Court reserved judgment. DeshGujarat