Gujarat
,
Kevadiya
,
Narmada
Published :
|
Updated :
Demolition of 34 stalls near Statue of Unity sparks dispute over land ownership
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
34
Households affected
163
People affected
2025
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
34
Households affected
163
People Affected
2025
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Encroachment by Non-Right Holders (Other than Caste-based)
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
In Court
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Encroachment by Non-Right Holders (Other than Caste-based)
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
In Court
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Summary
Fact Sheet
Legal Data
Additional Info
Criminal Law
1
Summary

A land conflict is intensifying at the foot of the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue and a prominent national monument in Gujarat’s Narmada district. On 15 May 2025, authorities demolished over 34 shops near the statue, triggering anger and protests from the local tribal community. Officials claimed the structures were encroachments on government land, but residents say the area has long been a source of livelihood for those displaced by earlier development projects.

The demolition was carried out in Vagdiya Chowk of Ektanagar under heavy police presence. It involved eight JCB machines and 11 tractors. At least 15 tribal leaders and local representatives, including Shailesh Tadavi and Daxaben Tadavi, were detained during the drive. The operation is part of a broader state-wide crackdown on alleged encroachments, similar to those recently seen in Kutch, Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Ahmedabad.

Government officials maintain that the demolished shops had been constructed without permission on land owned by the Narmada Corporation. They argue that reclaiming the land is necessary to protect public assets and ensure orderly development in the high-tourism area. However, locals claim that the land in question was acquired in 1970 for the construction of an approach road to the Narmada dam. While the road was built, they claimed that the remaining land was never taken into possession by the revenue authorities, and thus, they remained lawful occupants.

The shopkeepers filed a petition against the eviction notices issued but the Gujarat High Court declined to grant a stay. However, the court scheduled the next hearing for 10 June to hear the matter related to the ownership of land.

Meanwhile, Chaitar Vasava, Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Dediyapada, slammed the government’s move, accusing it of targeting tribal communities under the guise of development. Vasava and tribal leaders have issued a 15-day ultimatum, demanding that the demolished shops be reconstructed and livelihoods restored. They have threatened large-scale protests if their demands are not met—including the blocking of transport to the Statue of Unity, disruption of canal water supply, and the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s proposed visit to mark Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary on 31 October.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Those evicted demand the restoration of now-demolished stalls, which were their means of livelihood.

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Non-agri rural enterprise

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

₹

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

3
Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Legislations/Policies Involved

Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971
Section 4 [If the estate officer believes that someone is occupying public premises without permission, they must first issue a written notice explaining the reasons for proposed eviction. This notice should give the person at least seven days to respond and must invite all those occupying or claiming an interest in the property to show cause why they should not be evicted.] Section 5 [Eviction of unauthorised occupants to happen only after notice under Section 4 is issued and after personal hearing. Any order of eviction passed by the estate officer to contain recording of reasons]; Section 5(2)[If a person does not follow the eviction order within fifteen days of it being published, the estate officer or someone they authorize can evict the person from the property]Section 5A (1)[ No person shall (a)erect or place or raise any building or any movable or immovable structure or fixture (b) display or spread any goods in any public premises except in accordance with the authority]; Section 5A(2) [Where any building or other immovable structure or fixture has been erected, on any public premises in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), the estate officer may serve a notice requiring him either to remove, or to show cause why such building or other structure shall not be removed. On the omission or refusal of such person either to show cause, or to remove such building or other structure or fixture from the public premises , the estate officer may, by order, remove or cause to be remove the building or fixture]
Gujarat Land Revenue Code, 1879
Section 37(2)[Where any property or any right in or over any properties is claimed by the Government or by any person against the Government, the Collector can pass an order deciding the claim. But a formal inquiry has to be conducted after serving notice]; Section 202 [While evicting, the Collector has to follow procedures such as serving notice, hold a summary inquiry into the facts of the case]
In Re: Directions in the matter of demolition of structures
A. NOTICE [i. No demolition should be carried out without a prior show cause notice returnable either in accordance with the time provided by the local municipal laws or within 15 days' time from the date of service of such notice, whichever is later. ii. The notice shall be served upon the owner/occupier by a registered post A.D. The notice shall also be affixed conspicuously on the outer portion of the structure in question. iii. The time of 15 days, stated herein above, shall start from the date of receipt of the said notice. iv. To prevent any allegation of backdating, as soon as the notice is served, intimation shall be sent to the office of Collector/District Magistrate of the district by email and an auto generated reply acknowledging receipt of the mail should also be issued from the office of the Collector/District Magistrate. The Collector/DM shall designate a nodal officer v. The notice shall contain the details regarding: a. the nature of the unauthorized construction. b. the details of the specific violation and the grounds of demolition. c. a list of documents that the notice is required to furnish along with his reply. d. The notice should also specify the date of personal hearing and the designated authority] ; B. PERSONAL HEARING [i. An opportunity of personal hearing to the person concerned should be given. ii. The minutes of such a hearing shall also be recorded.]; C. FINAL ORDER [i. Authority shall pass a final order after hearing. ii. The final order shall contain: a. the contentions and if the authority disagrees with it, the reasons thereof; b. reasons if unauthorized construction is compoundable, d. reasons as to why the extreme step of demolition is the only option available]; D. AN OPPORTUNITY OF APPELLATE AND JUDICIAL SCRUTINY OF THE FINAL ORDER. [i.Even if the statute does not provide for an appellate opportunity, the final order will not be implemented for a period of 15 days from the date of receipt. The order shall also be displayed on the digital portal. ii. An opportunity should be given to the owner/occupier to remove the unauthorized construction or demolish the same within a period of 15 days. Only after the period of 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice has expired and the owner has not removed the unauthorized construction, and if the order is not stayed by any authority, steps for demolition can be taken. iii. Before demolition, a detailed inspection report shall be prepared by the concerned authority signed by two Panchas];E. PROCEEDINGS OF DEMOLITION [i. The proceedings of demolition shall be video-graphed, and the concerned authority shall prepare a demolition report giving the list of police officials and civil personnel that participated in the demolition process. Video recording to be duly preserved. ii. The said demolition report should be forwarded to the Municipal Commissioner by email and shall also be displayed on the digital portal.]
Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020
Section 2(e) [Land grabbing would include occupying land belonging to others, without having title to the land] Section 3 [ The land grabbing in any form shall be prohibited and declared unlawful and any activity connected with or arising out of land grabbing shall be an offence punishable under this Act.]; Section 4 (2) [Any person who, on or after the commencement of this Act, continues to be in occupation, otherwise than as a lawful tenant, of a grabbed land belonging to the Government, local authority, religious or charitable institution or endowment or other private person, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 24(2) [If land was acquired under proceedings initiated under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 five years or more before the LARR Act’s commencement (2014) and physical possession was not taken or compensation not paid, the acquisition process is deemed to have lapsed]
Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
Section 4(m)(iii)[Notwithstanding anything contained under Part IX of the Constitution, the Legislature of a State shall not make any law under that Part which is inconsistent with any of the following features, namely:(m) while endowing Panchayats in the Scheduled Areas with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government, a State Legislature shall ensure that the Panchayats at the appropriate level and the Gram Sabha are endowed specifically with the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas and to take appropriate action to restore any unlawfully alienated land of a Scheduled Tribe]
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
Section (3)(1)(g) [Wrongful dispossession of a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe from his land or interference with the enjoyment of rights].
Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Act, 2019
Section 3(1)[ The State Government, for the purpose of securing planned Tourism development and governance in and around Kevadia, District Narmada and in the vicinity of Statue Of Unity, ma, declare such area to be the Tourism development area.]; Section 11 [From the date the Sou Tourism Authority is formed, no one can develop any building or land within the tourism area without its written permission]; Section 12 [Anyone other than the Central or State Government who wants to carry out any development on land or building within a Tourism Development Area must apply in writing to the SOU Tourism Authority with the required details and documents as per the rules]; Section 15 [If anyone does development or uses land or buildings against the rules of Section 12, 13, or permission under Section 14(1), the SOU Tourism Authority can give a written notice to stop the work or use. After inquiry, they can remove the building or work and restore the land to its original state or stop the misuse]

  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Lack of legal protection over land rights

Violation of free prior informed consent

Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Pending

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Gujarat High Court

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

The Gujarat HC has declined to grant a stay on demolition notices issued by the Narmada Collector concerning unauthorised constructions near the Statue of Unity. However, it scheduled a hearing on 10 June to hear matter related to the ownership of land.
Legal Supporting Documents

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

June 8, 2025

Location of Violation

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Author
Reported by
Show more work
Latest updates
Almora
Uttarakhand

Almora Residents Oppose Handover of 'Fertile' Land to Jindals for Building School

Dehradun
Uttarakhand

As farmers protest aerocity in Uttarakhand's Doiwala, MLA denies township plan

Kamrup
Assam

11 families displaced amid eviction drive in Guwahati’s Birubari

Papum Pare
Arunachal Pradesh

Locals protest cancellation of Land Possession Certificates for plots within Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Tinsukia
Assam

Mass protests against CIL over coal dumping practices in Assam

East Siang
Arunachal Pradesh

Concerns over encroachment in D Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh

Uttara Kannada
Karnataka

Keni villagers protest port project over land and livelihood concerns

Narmada
Gujarat

Demolition of 34 stalls near Statue of Unity sparks dispute over land ownership

Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Non-agri rural enterprise

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today

Company

About UsWork with usNewslettersReport a ConflictContact UsHolding Ground 2022Conflicts DatabaseOngoing ResearchPublicationsClosed Conflicts

Social

TwitterInstagramFacebookLinkedin

Legal

Code to Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
Policy for a Healthy Work EnvironmentIC Order
Privacy PolicyData Sharing PolicyTerms and ConditionsRefund Policy

Get in Touch!

contact@landconflictwatch.org

© 2023 Nut Graph LLP
All Rights Reserved.

Conflicts Map
Conflict Database
About Us