Bengaluru: In a significant ruling with far-reaching implications, the Karnataka Forest Department has declared that the 430-acre land occupied by HMT Limited in Bengaluru continues to be classified as forest land and has directed the public sector undertaking to hand over the property to the government if it does not file an appeal within 30 days.

The land, estimated to be worth around ₹15,000 crore, is spread across the Peenya Plantation and Jarakabande Sandal Reserve areas and has long been at the centre of a legal dispute.

Forest status upheld

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Bengaluru Urban) N Ravindrakumar ruled that HMT had failed to produce the original government orders proving the land had been legally de-notified or released from its forest status.

The order stated that, in the absence of such foundational records, the land continues to retain its character as reserved forest under applicable forest laws. It also relied on Supreme Court rulings, including the landmark T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad judgment, which reinforces the principle that forest land remains protected unless legally de-reserved.

Transfers to other institutions under scrutiny

The Forest Department also observed that HMT had transferred around 178 acres of the land between 1996 and 2006 to 44 entities, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Raman Research Institute, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and others.

The order noted that these transfers are liable to be examined under the relevant provisions of forest and conservation laws.

Officials further stated that HMT should have returned the land to the government once it was no longer required for the purpose for which it had originally been granted.

HMT gets 30 days to appeal

The ruling follows an inquiry initiated after a notice was issued to HMT by the Range Forest Officer in November 2024. During the proceedings, HMT submitted government orders, grant certificates and a gift deed to support its claim, but the Forest Department held that these documents did not establish lawful de-reservation of the land.

HMT has been given 30 days to challenge the order before the Conservator of Forests. If no appeal is filed, the company has been directed to hand over the 430 acres and 21.853 guntas of land to the Forest Department.

The decision could have major implications for both HMT and institutions that occupy portions of the disputed land