Bhoodan and Vidyadan Scheme. Owner cannot seek return of land once gifted. He can only seek direction for proper utilization of the land. Karnataka High Court.

Keerthi Kumar vs State of Karnataka and another. Writ Petition 6278/2018 decided on 8 December 2020.

Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/352928/1/WP6278-18-08-12-2020.pdf

Relevant paragraphs: 15.15. …, once the land has been gifted under Bhoodan and Vidyadan scheme, there is no right which is created in the donor or the legal representatives of donor to seek for return of the lands gifted for any reason whatsoever. Once the land is gifted to the Government, it is the responsibility of the Government to put the land to the use for which it was granted by way of a gift. At the most, the donor or the legal representatives of the donor can seek for a direction to direct the Governmental authorities to put the land to use for which it was so gifted, they cannot seek for return of the land granted by way of a gift since the gift is complete on the gift deed being executed, there cannot be return of the land.

15.17. The Resumption of the land being not capable of being done on account of Karnataka Bhoodan Yagna (Repeal) Act, 1962, it cannot be now contended by the petitioner that the land is required to be resumed.

Compiled by S. Basavaraj, Advocate, Daksha Legal.