Ahmedabad, Gujarat (Feb 2026): The Gujarat High Court has upheld the state government’s decision to reclaim a significant parcel of land — estimated to be worth around ₹500 crore — belonging to the Sant Shri Asaram Ashram near the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, paving the way for the demolition of illegal constructions and development of a major sports hub.
The 45,000-square-metre tract of land was originally allotted to the ashram decades ago for restricted religious use, according to court records and government submissions. However, subsequent inspections and official surveys found that the Ashram had expanded far beyond the sanctioned area, with more than 30 unauthorised structures erected in violation of both the original allotment conditions and municipal planning norms.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) rejected the ashram’s applications to regularise these constructions, including an impact fee petition filed in January 2026, maintaining that gradual encroachment could not be legitimised by simply seeking post-facto approval.
In its judgment, the High Court dismissed the petition filed by the Sant Shree Asharam Ashram Trust challenging the reclamation action. The court accepted the government’s account that repeated statutory notices had been served and a “fair and patient” administrative process had been followed before moving to reclaim the land.
The reclaimed land is slated for inclusion in the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave and related infrastructure projects being developed as part of Ahmedabad’s preparations for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with future expansion possibilities linked to the city’s Olympic ambitions.
The court has given the ashram a brief period — typically two weeks — to vacate the premises and comply with eviction notices that will be served by the AMC, after which demolition and redevelopment work is expected to begin.
The case comes against the backdrop of ongoing legal and administrative scrutiny of Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving a sentence for conviction in a rape case but was granted temporary suspension of his sentence earlier on medical grounds.
Published as per media source.
