Gujarat High Court Slams State Over ₹12 Crore Fee Demand in Decades-Old Rajkot School Land Dispute

The Gujarat High Court strongly pulled up state authorities on Wednesday over a 36-year-old land dispute involving Rajkot's Nirmala Convent School, issuing a sharp warning after town planning officers demanded ₹12 crore to modify a town planning scheme despite clear judicial orders prohibiting commercial construction on the playground.

A division bench led by the Chief Justice expressed deep displeasure at the state machinery's decade-long delay in complying with high court directions. The court observed that administrative officers often fail to grasp the gravity of judicial directions until contempt proceedings are formally initiated against responsible individuals.

Commercial Encroachments on School Grounds

The controversy traces back to 1988, when the Rajkot Municipal Corporation allocated part of the Nirmala Convent School grounds to private entities for commercial development, including a proposed shopping complex. School administrators immediately launched legal challenges across various judicial forums to protect the educational institution's open spaces.

Despite past rulings from both the High Court and the Supreme Court refusing permission to divert the playground's designated usage, municipal officials forwarded rezoning proposals to the state urban development department.

High Court Demands Personal Affidavit From Town Planner

Taking strong exception to the Town Planning Officer's ₹12 crore fee demand to alter the land use scheme, the bench questioned the legal authority behind imposing such financial charges against settled court rulings.

The High Court directed the Town Planning Officer to submit a personal affidavit explaining the department's position. The bench cautioned that failure to present a satisfactory, legally sound response would attract stern judicial action against the officer. Further hearings on the matter have been listed for September 3.