Karnataka High Court revokes NICE land acquisition, labels project a major scam

Karnataka High Court NICE project Bengaluru-Mysuru Corridor land acquisition scam

The Karnataka High Court upheld an order quashing land‑acquisition proceedings for the Bengaluru‑Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) operated by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). The court described the scheme as “one of the biggest scams” in the state, noting that hundreds of farmers were robbed of their lands without compensation for more than two decades.

The bench highlighted that only about 5 km of the planned 111‑km expressway had been built in the past 25‑26 years, while NICE holds a land bank of over 20,000 acres. It ordered an independent investigation and forensic audit of the project’s land‑acquisition process and dismissed appeals filed by NICE and the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board. The court also observed that no compensation awards had been issued for 23 years.

The judgment directs the state government to implement the investigation and take further legal steps in line with the court’s findings.

Entities

Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department · Bengaluru‑Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) · 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 Enterprise Ltd (NICE) · Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises · Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Allegations were raised that lakes and private lands were encroached upon during the execution of the NICE Road project. www.news9live.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Toll revenue had been collected while many farmers had not received adequate compensation for the acquired land. www.news9live.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The ruling provides relief to hundreds of farmers whose land was acquired for the project. www.news9live.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The bench consisted of Justices D. K. Singh and T. M. Nadaf. www.news9live.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The court called for an independent investigation and forensic audit of the NICE project and its land‑acquisition process. www.news9live.com · www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in
[● 6 SOURCES] The Karnataka High Court dismissed NICE's appeal and upheld the cancellation of land acquisition for the NICE Road project. www.news9live.com · www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in
[● 5 SOURCES] Compensation for the land acquired for the BMICP had not been awarded for more than 23 years. www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in
[● 5 SOURCES] The Karnataka High Court described the Bengaluru‑Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project as one of the biggest scams in the state. www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in
[● 3 SOURCES] NICE holds a land bank of more than 20,000 acres associated with the BMICP. www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in
[● 3 SOURCES] Only about 5 km of the planned 111‑km expressway for the NICE project had been constructed in 25‑26 years. www.livelaw.in · www.kannadaprabha.com · www.varthabharati.in