Karnataka High Court Division Bench (Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha) issued notice on 13 August 2026 on PIL filed by Namma Whitefield RWA Federation Trust challenging diversion of Kadugodi plantation for industrial purposes.

History: Survey No. 1 of Kadugodi recorded as forest land in 1896. June 1896 notification declared over 24,000 acres across Bengaluru, Kolar and Tumakuru as government plantations, including the 711-acre Kadugodi area. Mysore Forest Act 1900 and January 1901 notification reinforced forest status as State Forest.

Acquisitions: Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) issued acquisition notifications in 1985 and 1987 for portions without de-notifying from forest status and without prior Union government approval under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act 1980.

Current status: State Forest Department reclaimed 120 acres in June 2025. Land estimated worth ₹4,000 crore. Inter-departmental dispute: Revenue Department also claiming same land.

Petitioner relief sought: Quash KIADB acquisition notifications, cancel allotments to private industrialists, court-monitored joint survey of entire 711-acre area, restore land to Forest Department.

Karnataka High Court set aside KIADB order to resume nearly 78 acres in Kadugodi held by Embassy Developments through subsidiary Embassy East Business Park Limited (EEBPL). The company retains lawful possession and can continue development activities subject to regulatory approvals. Land is strategically located in Bengaluru's rapidly growing commercial and industrial zone in eastern corridor. Property forms key part of Embassy's long-term business park development strategy. Kadugodi land parcel connected to semiconductor development: Lam Research entered agreements with EEBPL for semiconductor research and development campus on approximately 25 acres of the site. Proposed project expected to strengthen Bengaluru's semiconductor and technology ecosystem in eastern region. Managing Director Aditya Virwani stated court decision affirms company's legal rights and long-term vision for the project. Company waiting for formal signed copy of High Court order and has made required regulatory disclosures.

Karnataka High Court overturned KIADB resumption proceedings involving approximately 78 acres of land held by Embassy East Business Park Limited in Kadugodi Industrial Area. The subsidiary retains lawful possession of the property. The land is strategically important for Embassy Developments' long-term plans in East Bengaluru's commercial and residential market. The decision clears the path for continued work on the proposed business park development. This marks the company's second significant legal relief in two weeks; earlier in May, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal quashed insolvency proceedings against Embassy Developments. Managing Director Aditya Virwani stated the company remained committed to governance, transparency and compliance during the dispute and plans to move ahead with development activities on the site. The formal signed copy of the Karnataka High Court order is still awaited.

The Karnataka Forest Department has decided to reopen the Kadugodi land case and file a petition in the Supreme Court to recover land.

According to forest department records, 1,901 acres in Kadugodi plantation (spread across 711 acres) was handed to the state forest department and declared a reserve forest in 1907.

Land distribution:

• 1960s: 141 acres handed to police department
• 400 acres used for Dinnur Layout and agricultural purposes
• Remaining land handed to Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB)
• After industrial distribution: 120 acres remain, but only 69 acres in forest department possession

The forest department seeks to recover all undeveloped land and green patches. Minister Eshwar B Khandre stated they are filing a curative petition in the Supreme Court to recover unused land from the KIADB issue and assessing ramifications.

The department had lost earlier appeals in Karnataka High Court and Supreme Court.

Bengaluru has proposed six Metro extensions:

• Purple Line: Challaghatta to Bidadi, about 15 km; KR Puram to Hoskote, 16 km.
• Green Line: Silk Institute to Harohalli, 24 km; Madavara to Tumakuru, 59 km.
• Yellow Line: Bommasandra to Attibele, 11 km.
• Pink Line: Kalena Agrahara to Kadugodi Tree Park, about 68 km.

The Tumakuru extension is undergoing a detailed project report (DPR) process; its feasibility report has been submitted. The other five proposals await government approval, after which feasibility reports would be prepared and submitted, followed by DPRs if approved. The extensions aim to improve access to industrial areas, employment corridors and educational institutions, save travel time and reduce traffic. BMRCL recently finalised a contractor for a short Purple Line extension intended for train maintenance.