Bulldozer Action Looms Over Asaram’s Ahmedabad Ashram as High Court Rejects Land Petition

Ahmedabad: A major setback has struck self-styled godman Asaram, as the Gujarat High Court on Thursday dismissed his petition challenging the government’s move to acquire land in Ahmedabad. The decision clears the way for the development of sports infrastructure ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The disputed plot, located in the Motera area, is just a stone’s throw from the Narendra Modi Stadium and the under-construction Sardar Patel Sports Complex. The court’s decision allows the state to proceed with plans to reclaim the land, which has been under Asaram’s control for decades.

Why Action Is Being Taken
Government counsel G.H. Virk argued before Justice Vaibhavi Nanavati that while the land had originally been allotted for limited religious purposes, Asaram’s ashram had expanded far beyond legal limits. Virk emphasized that the land was assigned with the condition that it would not be used for commercial activities or unauthorized constructions. However, inspections revealed extensive constructions exceeding the allocated area.

High Court’s Observations
The Gujarat government told the court that multiple notices had been served to the ashram, and it had been given opportunities to be heard. The state argued that unauthorized expansions could not be legitimized. With Ahmedabad preparing for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and planning long-term Olympic aspirations, reclaiming approximately 45,000 square meters of land would support the development of sports facilities in the area.

After hearing the arguments, the High Court dismissed the ashram’s petition, allowing the government to proceed with the land acquisition.

Asaram’s Legal Troubles
Asaram, 84, has been serving life imprisonment since 2013 after being convicted of raping a minor at his Rajasthan ashram. In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court sentenced him to life imprisonment in another sexual assault case.