Karnataka High Court Issues Notice Over Land Transfer at Bengaluru Veterinary College

The Karnataka High Court on Friday issued notices to the Government of Karnataka and other authorities in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the transfer of land located on the campus of the Government Veterinary College in Bengaluru.

The notices were also served to the college administration and the Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), which oversees the institution.

The petition was filed by the Karnataka Veterinary Association, the Bengaluru Veterinary College Alumni Association, and two other organisations. They have challenged a January 8 government order directing the transfer of four acres of KVAFSU land located within the veterinary college campus at Hebbal. The order also transferred another three acres of land to construct a super speciality hospital.

A division bench, comprising Justices DK Singh and TM Nadaf, directed the respondents to file their responses or statements of objections to the writ petition within 10 days. The next date of hearing is March 25.

According to the petitioners, the transfer of land and the planned constructions will adversely affect the research, teaching and extension activities of the veterinary college.

They expressed apprehension that it might lead to the de-recognition of the college by the Veterinary Council of India and also a decline in future assessments of the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board. The petitioners urged the court to consider a series of representations submitted by them in Feb.