Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) has refused to allot 27 acres in Kalamassery to the state government for the proposed Judicial City project at a value determined on the basis of the 2014 base valuation report.
The public sector company, in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, pointed out that the apex court had allowed the use of its land by the Kerala government for the Seaport–Airport Road, guest house and KINFRA Hi-Tech Park without prejudice to HMT’s right to claim compensation and that consideration would be imposed. However, the state government has not complied with earlier court orders to impose the acquisition costs, the firm said.
The company insisted it had not obstructed earlier orders seeking its land in the larger public interest. However, it argued that the application for the Court City project was qualitatively different from earlier applications for its land.
The state government proposed the project to meet the future development needs of the Kerala High Court and to house the Kerala Judicial Academy and the Mediation Centre. According to the government project, the complex will include offices for the judge and advocate general, the bar association and facilities for female judges.
HMT pointed out that the state assumed that the 27 acres proposed for the Court City was part of the surplus land in its possession that needed to be surrendered. However, the Supreme Court held that the ceiling provisions did not apply to land covered by the two “pattas” issued by the HMT and that the only land potentially falling within the ceiling net was itself deemed to be land within the prescribed limit.
HMT further argued that the compensation assessed based on the 2014 base value of the land was lower than the market rates and inherently unfair and arbitrary. The firm also requested the Supreme Court to reject the state government’s request to acquire the land.
Published – 19 Jan 2026 21:06 IST
