Gujarat
,
Dhrangadhra
,
Surendranagar
Published :
Jan 2025
|
Updated :
December 20, 2024
Protests against solar power plant in Dhrangadhra’s Moti Malvan village in Gujarat
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
Households affected
People affected
2024
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
Households affected
People Affected
2024
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Renewable Power
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Renewable Power
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

Residents of Moti Malvan village in Gujarat's Dhrangadhra protested against a solar power company for allegedly operating near the Wild Ass Sanctuary without obtaining mandatory approvals.

The villagers, led by Zilla Panchayat member Chatrasinh Gujria and village Sarpanch, lodged a formal objection with the Forest Department and the Deputy Collector, accusing the company of flouting legal norms.

The solar plant’s proximity to a school and its location within the restricted area of the Ghudkhar Sanctuary have further fuelled tensions. “This project has been initiated without the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Gram Panchayat or the Forest Department,” Gujria told the Divya Bhaskar. "Such operations in the sanctuary area are entirely illegal."

Residents and local leaders argue that the Gram Panchayat’s objections were overlooked, and the villagers were not consulted before the project began. A written application has been submitted to the relevant authorities, demanding immediate action to halt the solar plant's activities.

The community has warned of launching a mass movement if the operations continue unchecked. "This sanctuary is a protected area, and no industrial activity should proceed without proper clearances," said the Sarpanch.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Forest

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

Other environmental services

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?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

No

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

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Author
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Suchak is an independent researcher.
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

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

Other environmental services

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

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


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