The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the execution of the absolute sale deed for approximately 3,666 acres of land in Ballari district in favour of JSW Steel, ending years of controversy surrounding the land deal. The land is spread across Toranagall and Kurekuppa villages in Sandur taluk (2,000.58 acres), and Toranagall, Musenayakanahalli, and Yarabanahalli (1,666 acres).
The lease-cum-sale agreement between the Karnataka government and JSW Steel was originally signed in 2006-2007. However, successive state governments hesitated to finalise the sale deed, leading to prolonged legal and political disputes. The current decision by the Cabinet follows legal pressures and the steel company’s move to seek court intervention.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, who briefed the media after the Cabinet meeting, acknowledged the longstanding opposition to the land transfer without thorough scrutiny. Despite his previous reservations, Patil stated, “There is a writ of mandamus, and we have decided to execute the sale deed due to legal compulsions.”
The sale of the land first came under scrutiny in 2019, when the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition government was accused by the BJP of selling the land at a significantly low price. Patil, along with others, had called for a Cabinet sub-committee review. Later, B.S. Yediyurappa’s Cabinet moved to approve the sale, sparking dissent within the BJP itself. The High Court, noticing procedural lapses, directed the then Chief Minister to re-examine the decision, leaving the matter unresolved.
The latest Cabinet decision to finalise the sale follows a legal push by JSW Steel, which had approached the court for a directive compelling the State government to honour the lease-cum-sale agreement. Legal advice presented to the Cabinet indicated that JSW Steel had adhered to the terms of the agreement by using the land to establish an integrated steel plant, and there were no breaches of the contract.
The approval marks a significant development in the longstanding dispute, as the Karnataka government moves to execute the sale deed, aligning with both the legal directives and the company’s operational commitments in the region. However, given the history of opposition and legal challenges, the decision may continue to face scrutiny from various stakeholders in Karnataka's political and civil society circles.
