Supreme Court Grants SASTRA Interim Relief Amid Land Dispute

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the eviction of SASTRA University from government land in Tamil Nadu, requesting the establishment of a committee to review the institution's representation. The dispute involves 31.37 acres critical to the university, affecting over 12,000 students if evicted.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order staying the eviction of SASTRA University from government land in Thanjavur. The move follows a Madras High Court decision to uphold the state's eviction notice, which could impact more than 12,000 students.

A panel led by Chief Justice Surya Kant stressed the importance of considering SASTRA's role as a public educational institution, urging the Tamil Nadu government not to treat the dispute as a 'prestige issue.' The court instructed the state to establish a high-level committee to evaluate the university's objections and provide an opportunity for a hearing within four weeks.

The bench noted that while encroachment on public land is unacceptable, public welfare institutions like SASTRA play a significant role in serving the public interest. As the institution's campus is intertwined with the disputed 31.37 acres, the removal could severely disrupt academic operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)