Bangalore Palace Grounds case: SC orders placing before CJI fresh plea filed by Karnataka govt

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for placing before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) a fresh plea filed by the Karnataka government against a May 22 order to release Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates of over Rs 3,400 crore in favour of the legal heir of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and others for over 15 acres of land of Bangalore Palace Grounds acquired for the widening of Bellary and Jayamahal Roads.

The state government also said it has filed a review petition against the May 22 order.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta said, "Let the application be filed before CJI on administrative side for appropriate orders."

The court's order came as Sibal sought a direction for placing the matter before a larger bench.

Sibal made the contention as the bench pointed out the instant application should be referred to a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar which had on May 22 passed the judgment for the release of TDR, rejecting all the contentions raised by the Karnataka government.

Sibal contended the order on May 22 was passed in contempt petitions. He submitted the contempt proceedings can't set aside the High Court's judgment which was in favour of the state government.

The bench, however, told him, "You are seeking further directions in a sense. If there is a coordinate bench which has taken a view, how do we sit over it?"

Sibal asked the court to stay TDRs till the court hears the matter.

"TDRs have been taken by them. Let no further steps be taken. I am shocked. I am concerned about the manner in which this has been done," he said.

Sibal also claimed the state government has filed a review of the May 22 order, which has not been listed.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the opposite side, contended that this plea was an abuse of the process.

Notably, TDRs have already been handed over.

On January 29, 2025, the Karnataka government notified the Bangalore Palace (Utilization and Regulation of Land) Ordinance 2025, reserving the right to not acquire portions of the disputed Palace land located in the heart of the Bengaluru city, after the apex court's order of December 10, 2024 on the issuance of TDR.

The Karnataka government also filed a separate application urging the Supreme Court to take up the 1997 civil appeal challenging the constitutional validity of the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996.