In a relief to farmers of Gokul village, Dharwad High Court Bench has stayed further activities on the land allotted to three firms, including Infosys, by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), at the village.
On a writ petition filed by the farmers who had questioned the land allotment, the Bench of Justice L Narayana Swamy issued notices to the State government, KIADB, Infosys Technologies, Ananth Residency and Deshpande Foundation.
KIADB had acquired 707 acres at Gokul village for the expansion and development of Hubli Airport whereas the actual requirement was 599 acres and 21 guntas.
Of the excess land, KIADB allotted 29 acres to the PWD to develop roads and 13 acres to construct a bypass road.
The remaining 64 acres and 26 guntas of land was sold to three firms. Infosys bought 50 acres while Deshpande Foundation decided to buy 12.26 acres.
Ananth Residency bought 2 acres by spending `60 lakh per acre whereas the KIADB acquired land from the farmers at `26 lakh per acre.