Opposing the petition, government pleader GH Virk told the court that the land had originally been allotted decades ago strictly for limited religious use. However, over the years, the ashram had expanded far beyond the permitted boundaries, violating multiple conditions attached to the allotment.
The state argued that the land grant clearly prohibited commercial activity, unauthorised construction and any use beyond approved permissions. Inspections revealed that the ashram had carried out extensive construction and occupied land far in excess of what was legally allotted, the government submitted.
Virk further informed the court that the ashram had been served multiple notices and given adequate opportunities to be heard. “Encroachment cannot be allowed first and then legitimised later,” the state maintained.
With Ahmedabad gearing up for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and pursuing long-term Olympic ambitions, the reclamation of around 45,000 square metres of land is crucial for developing modern sports facilities in the Motera region, the government said.
Accepting the state’s submissions, the High Court dismissed the ashram’s plea.
Asaram, 84, is currently serving life imprisonment. He was convicted in 2013 for raping a minor girl at his Rajasthan ashram. In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court also sentenced him to life imprisonment in another case involving the rape of a woman disciple between 2001 and 2006, when she was residing at the Motera ashram.