Ahmedabad, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Gujarat High Court has given the green light for the state government to regain control of approximately 45,000 square meters of land associated with the imprisoned self-proclaimed spiritual leader Asaram located in the Motera region of Ahmedabad. This decision marks the conclusion of a prolonged legal battle regarding the property adjacent to the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The court reaffirmed the government's choice to reclaim the land, asserting that the original allotment conditions had been breached and that the unauthorized constructions on the property could not be legitimized.

Justice Vaibhavi D. Nanavati announced the ruling following comprehensive hearings on petitions submitted by the ashram trust, which contested notices issued by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the district authorities.

Authorities indicated that the land had been designated decades ago for religious and charitable purposes.

However, subsequent inspections revealed that it was being utilized for activities exceeding the permitted scope, including various commercial endeavors.

The inquiry also disclosed that more than 30 structures had been erected without approved building plans, violating municipal and allotment regulations.

Civic authorities issued notices to the trust for encroachment and non-compliance with the established conditions. The trust later sought to regularize the constructions by paying an impact fee, but this application was denied by the appropriate authorities, leading to the legal challenge in the High Court.

In its decision, the court accepted the state government's argument that the violations were significant and that the unauthorized structures could not be regularized.

The court permitted the authorities to move forward with reclaiming the land and dismantling the illegal constructions, following due process.

Advocate Rajen Jadhav, representing the state government, informed the court that the land surrounding the Motera stadium was essential for planned public interest development. "The government aims to incorporate this area into upcoming infrastructure projects related to sports development," he stated.

With the legal barriers now removed, officials confirmed that the AMC would take further actions aligned with the court's directives, including the demolition of unauthorized structures once procedural formalities are completed.

The recovered land is expected to be included in the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, a comprehensive sports infrastructure initiative planned near the Sabarmati riverfront.

The state government has indicated that the area will be developed into contemporary sports facilities and supporting infrastructure as part of preparations for hosting significant international sporting events, including the anticipated Commonwealth Games in 2030.

Asaram Bapu is currently serving a life sentence related to rape cases.

His ashrams nationwide have been under heightened scrutiny by authorities in recent years due to various legal cases and allegations of irregularities.