Karnataka High Court Bars Tree Cutting, Demolition in Bidadi Township Area Without Court Approval

Karnataka High Court directs the government to seek court approval before cutting trees, demolishing properties or taking coercive action in the Bidadi Township project area.

Bengaluru, August 26, 2026; The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government not to undertake any demolition, land-related coercive action or tree cutting in the proposed Bidadi Township project area without prior permission from the court.

Justice R Nataraj passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by four farmers challenging the land acquisition proceedings linked to the Bidadi Smart City project.

During the hearing, the court questioned the government over reports of possible action against properties soon after compensation was determined. The bench stressed that authorities cannot move ahead with demolition or other measures against landowners without following due process and obtaining the court’s approval.

The farmers’ counsel told the court that the government had claimed that a large number of landowners were willing to surrender their land voluntarily. However, no supporting official records had been presented, the counsel submitted, adding that fewer than five per cent of farmers had actually agreed to give up their land.

Representing the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority, advocate Shivaprakash Shantanagoudar said the land acquisition proceedings remained at an initial stage. He also reiterated that farmers would not be forcibly removed from their properties.

Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty, appearing for the Karnataka government, assured the court that no farmer would be evicted until the compensation process was completed. He said the compensation details would first be presented before the High Court and that subsequent action would be taken only after bringing the matter to the court’s notice.

Taking note of the assurance, the court said there was no immediate reason for farmers to be apprehensive, observing that compensation would not be finalised overnight and that trees would not be removed during the process.

The High Court has listed the main petition for further hearing on September 29. Other petitions concerning the Bidadi Township project have been scheduled for hearing on September 1.