#public property

The Kerala High Court has ruled that a panchayat’s installation of a handrail to demarcate a public pathway from adjacent private land does not constitute an unlawful obstruction under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. This clarifies that local bodies may use non-intrusive physical barriers to prevent encroachment and preserve public access, reinforcing the autonomy of gram panchayats in managing community infrastructure without requiring formal land acquisition.

Madras HC rules that land reserved for public purposes vests absolutely in municipal corporations, rendering private purchases void ab initio. Bona fide purchaser status does not override corporate ownership, and eviction notices require no prior procedural violation to be valid.

Madras High Court affirms that no unauthorized religious installations can occupy public spaces, directing municipal authorities to inspect and remove encroachments within 12 weeks. The ruling reinforces secular public space norms and mandates strict compliance with municipal duties under administrative law.

Calcutta High Court quashes KMDA's land allotment to a cooperative society, ruling that public property disposal requires a published policy, public notice, and fair process to comply with Article 14. The judgment mandates transparency in administrative actions affecting public assets, impacting all government land allocation practices.