Supreme Court Stays Order on Bangalore Palace Land

The Supreme Court has provided a major reprieve for the Karnataka government in a dispute concerning the Bangalore Palace Grounds.The court suspended previous orders that mandated the handover of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates worth over ₹3,400 crore to the legal heirs of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and others.

This pertains to land acquired for road widening.The decision offers a temporary halt to a long-standing legal battle.

• TDR Certificates Frozen The Supreme Court has ordered that all TDR certificates remain deposited with the court registry.This means that even if the certificates are released, they cannot be used or transferred to any third party, ensuring no further complications arise during the legal proceedings.
  
  This measure protects the interests of all parties involved while the court reviews the matter.The directive aims to prevent any irreversible actions that could prejudice the final outcome of the case.
• Review Petition Scheduled The Karnataka government's review petition against the May 22 order for the release of TDR certificates is scheduled for hearing in the week commencing July 21, 2025.This indicates the court's intention to re-examine the case and consider the arguments presented by the state government.
  
  The review will provide an opportunity to address any potential errors or oversights in the previous order.A thorough review process is essential to ensure justice and fairness.
• Civil Appeal Listed The main civil appeal related to the Bangalore Palace land dispute has been listed for hearing on August 18, 2025.This demonstrates the court's commitment to resolving the core issues of the case, which have been pending for a considerable period.
  
  The civil appeal will address the fundamental rights and obligations of the parties involved.A comprehensive hearing of the civil appeal is crucial for a final and lasting resolution.
• Government's Argument Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Karnataka government, argued that the TDR provision, introduced in 2004, should not be applied retrospectively to land acquired under the 1996 Act.He contended that compensation had already been fixed under the 1996 Act, and applying the TDR provision would be unjust.
  
  Sibal highlighted the discrepancy between the ₹11 crore compensation fixed under the 1996 Act and the ₹3,011.66 crore worth of TDRs being claimed.His arguments underscored the potential financial burden on the state government.
• Interim Arrangement The Supreme Court clarified that the interim arrangement is without prejudice to the rights of the parties involved.This ensures that the current suspension of the TDR certificate handover does not affect the ultimate outcome of the case.
  
  The court's decision aims to maintain a level playing field while the legal proceedings continue.This balance is vital for upholding the principles of justice and equity.

The Supreme Court's intervention highlights the complexities of land acquisition and compensation disputes, reflecting a struggle between development needs and individual rights.The case underscores the importance of resilience in navigating protracted legal battles.