Karnataka High Court Orders KIADB to Rethink Controversial Sandur Pellets Plant Land Grab

In a significant move, the Karnataka High Court has directed the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to reconsider additional land acquisition for a proposed pellets plant in Sandur. This ruling underscores the increasing judicial scrutiny over state-led industrial land acquisition, particularly in environmentally sensitive zones already grappling with the impacts of heavy industry. The court's directive highlights a pattern of judicial intervention, with judges previously calling some KIADB acquisitions 'daylight dacoity' of farmers' lands. This decision comes against a backdrop of fierce local opposition and environmental concerns that have plagued such projects in Sandur for years. Villages like Somalapur and Yeshwant Nagar have consistently protested against new pellets plant, citing severe pollution, health hazards, and destruction of water bodies from existing mining activities. While one proposed project, Sandur Pellets Private Limited, a subsidiary of Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited, was voluntarily liquidated in April 2026 after never commencing operations, another by Resources Pellets Concentrates Private Limited (RPCL) has faced significant community pushback and legal challenges, with the state government still pending a final decision on land acquisition as of July 2024. KIADB track record, marked by allegations of non-transparent processes and disregard for local livelihoods, has drawn repeated criticism from both citizens and the judiciary. The High Court's latest instruction signals a tightening of oversight on how land is acquired for industrial purposes in Karnataka. This could compel KIADB to adopt more transparent and equitable practices, prioritizing environmental sustainability and community consent over unchecked industrial expansion. Stakeholders, including local residents and environmental groups, will be keenly watching the Board's response, which will set a precedent for future industrial projects and reinforce the rights of landowners across the state. The ruling could usher in a new era where public purpose in land acquisition faces tougher judicial tests.