The Karnataka High Court on Monday set aside a vacation bench order that had quashed the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board’s move to resume a 78-acre land parcel in Whitefield, and sent the matter back to the regular bench for fresh consideration.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru allowed a writ appeal filed by businessman Tejraj Gulecha and restored the underlying writ petition before the single judge. The court also revived all interim orders that had been in force before the vacation bench’s May 12 ruling.
“The Company and EEBPL continue to maintain that the resumption order dated March 16, 2026 is liable to be set aside on merits. The formal signed copy of the order is awaited. Upon receipt of the formal copy of the order, the Company and EEBPL will evaluate the order and pursue appropriate legal remedies to defend their position and protect their interests in the ongoing proceedings,” Embassy Development noted in an exchange filing.
The dispute concerns a 78-acre parcel in Whitefield’s Kadugodi Industrial Area, estimated to be worth over INR 3,000 crore. The land has drawn added attention after 25 acres were transferred Lam Research in a deal reportedly worth about INR 1,125 crore.
During the hearing, counsel for appellant questioned why the matter was taken up during the summer vacation despite an earlier direction that it be listed after the court reopened. The appellant also argued that the vacation bench proceeded without notice to necessary parties and relied on what was described as a “self-serving affidavit” filed by an Embassy East officer without board approval.
The bench questioned whether there was any real urgency to justify vacation bench intervention, observing that vacation benches are generally meant for urgent interim matters rather than final adjudication of writ petitions involving substantial public interest.
After hearing both sides, the bench set aside the May 12 order and restored the writ proceedings before the regular bench.
The court clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the dispute or on Gulecha’s locus-standi. A detailed order is awaited, and the matter will now come up before the concerned roster bench for further proceedings.
“We will consider all your objections. Maybe you right. We are not expressing any final views on the merits,” the bench said.
“The Company and EEBPL remain confident of their position and shall continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard their rights and interests,” Embassy developments noted.
