Karnataka High Court Quashes NICE Land Acquisition, Calls Project Biggest Scam
The Karnataka High Court dismissed Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE) appeal and upheld the cancellation of land acquisition for the Bengaluru‑Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP). A Division Bench of Justices D. K. Singh and T. M. Nadaf described the scheme as “one of the biggest scams” in the state, noting that compensation for the acquired lands had not been awarded for more than 23 years.
The court ordered an independent investigation and forensic audit of the project, citing serious irregularities such as lakes and private lands allegedly encroached upon, toll revenue collected while many farmers remained uncompensated, and a land bank of over 20,000 acres held by NICE. It also highlighted that only about 5 km of the planned 111‑km expressway had been built in more than 25 years.
The ruling provides relief to hundreds of farmers whose land was taken and signals a push for greater accountability in large‑scale infrastructure ventures in Karnataka.
Entities: Hundreds of farmers · Justice D. K. Singh · Justice T. M. Nadaf · Justices D. K. Singh and T. M. Nadaf · Karnataka High Court · Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) · NICE Road project · Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises · Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Allegations were raised that lakes and private lands were encroached upon during the execution of the NICE Road project. (90c46285-0bdc-483f-85dd-e04ee63c5924)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Toll revenue had been collected while many farmers had not received adequate compensation for the acquired land. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ruling provides relief to hundreds of farmers whose land was acquired for the project. (90c46285-0bdc-483f-85dd-e04ee63c5924)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court called for an independent investigation and forensic audit of the NICE Road project and its land‑acquisition process. (supports)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The bench consisted of Justices D. K. Singh and T. M. Nadaf. (supports)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Karnataka High Court dismissed NICE's appeal and upheld the cancellation of land acquisition for the NICE Road project. (supports)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Compensation for the land acquired for the BMICP had not been awarded for more than 23 years. (supports)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Karnataka High Court described the Bengaluru‑Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project as one of the biggest scams in the state. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] NICE holds a land bank of more than 20,000 acres associated with the BMICP. (supports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Only about 5 km of the planned 111‑km expressway for the NICE project had been constructed in 25‑26 years. (supports)