Mysuru: The supreme court has rejected the state government’s appeal to ownership of 1561.31 acres of land beside Chamundi hills. The court upheld the ownership rights of the Mysuru royal family on the property.
Earlier the high court divisional bench ruled that the property in Kurubara halli, Alana halli and Chowdahalli in three survey numbers are King’s private property. When the government did not follow the judgement the royal family filed a contempt of court petition which is pending a hearing.
The erstwhile DC Rohini Sindhuri filed an appeal against the judgement in the Supreme court claiming that the revenue records show that it is Kharab land. The state government contended that Kharab land is meant to utilise for public purposes which were enforced during the British regime in 1881-1883. The high court dismissed the deputy commissioner’s order that the property belongs to the state government. In the order, the deputy commissioner said based on agreement with the state government and Royal family in the year 1950 the property belongs to the government.
The state government filed an appeal against this order which was rejected by the division bench of the supreme court consisting of justice Uday U Lalit and Ajay Rastogi. The bench said that already the land was bought by many people, the state government filing appeal too late which will not be entertained. The court held that the land was acquired by the state government after 1950 means the land originally belongs to the king.
Out off the 1563.31 acres of land, more than 600 acres of land is being utilised by state government offices, mounted police wing, famous Mysuru Zoo, racecourse, Helipad, Lalit mahal palace hotel, lakes, and under the control of state government.
