AMC probe reveals irregularities in land lease to Seventh-Day Adventist School in Khokhra

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the lease of land allotted to the Seventh Day Adventist School in Khokhra, after it emerged that the institution may have violated both lease conditions and building regulations.

According to documents reviewed by AMC’s Town Planning Committee, a 2001–2002 standing committee resolution had clearly stated that plots reserved for educational purposes under the Town Planning (TP) scheme were to be allotted only to registered educational trusts or recognised institutions. However, in the Khokhra case, AMC had entered into a lease agreement with the India Financial Association of Seventh-Day Adventists, which was registered as a company rather than a trust.

Records show that AMC allotted Final Plot No. 709 of TP Scheme No. 25 (Khokhra-Mehmedabad), measuring over 10,465 sq m, to the SDA body after it emerged as the sole bidder, offering a premium of ₹1,031 per sq m. The standing committee had approved the allotment with the condition that the full premium amount be deposited with AMC.

Officials have now admitted that the documents submitted at the time of allotment were not those of a registered trust, raising questions over procedural violations. The matter has been referred for legal examination, and AMC has instructed its Estate Department to take appropriate action.

In addition, it has come to light that the school carried out construction on the leased land without obtaining the necessary building plan approvals from AMC. Instead, after completing the construction, the institution paid an impact fee in February 2024 to regularise the structure, which officials say amounts to a clear breach of the lease agreement.

The matter came up at the Town Planning Committee meeting on Sunday, following a query raised by BJP councillor Kamlesh Patel of Khokhra ward. Responding to his question, AMC officials confirmed that not only had the lease conditions been violated, but also unauthorised construction had taken place without municipal sanction.

“Since the terms of the lease have been breached, the Estate Department has been directed to initiate all necessary legal steps,” said a senior AMC official.