Lease Of Kunigul Stud Farm To Bangalore Turf Club Challenged In Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has sought the responses of the Union and the State Governments on a public interest litigation challenging the State government's decision to lease a portion of the historic Kunigal Stud Farm in Tumakuru district to the Bangalore Turf Club for establishing a racecourse, contending that the move threatens a heritage equine establishment and an ecologically significant landscape.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice KS Hemalekha heard the matter.

The petition, filed by Vijay Nishanth, assails the Government Order dated March 6, 2026 issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, under which 110 acres and 20 guntas of land forming part of the Kunigal Stud Farm were allotted on lease to the Bangalore Turf Club Limited for setting up a racecourse and allied activities.

According to the petitioner, the Kunigal Stud Farm is one of India's oldest equine breeding centres, with origins tracing back to the period of Tipu Sultan. The petition states that the farm continued to serve military and horse-breeding purposes during the British era and the erstwhile Mysore State, and has since remained dedicated to horse breeding, veterinary care, fodder cultivation and allied livestock activities.

The plea argues that the government's decision disregards the historical, ecological and biodiversity value of the property. It relies on an environmental assessment prepared in April 2026, which reportedly identifies the area as a biologically rich landscape containing grazing lands, mature tree cover, heritage trees, water systems and diverse flora and fauna linked to the nearby Kunigal Lake.

The petitioner contends that no environmental impact assessment, biodiversity assessment, hydrological study or equine carrying-capacity study was undertaken before issuing the impugned order. It is further alleged that the government failed to examine the applicability of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, and that the order does not disclose project particulars such as environmental clearance, conceptual plans or appraisal by the competent environmental authorities.

The petition also traces the history of the land's lease. It states that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries had leased the Kunigal Stud Farm to United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited in 1992 for 30 years, subject to the condition that the land be used only for horse breeding, livestock activities and allied purposes, while prohibiting sub-letting. The lease was later extended to allow stud farm activities to continue.

According to the plea, several public representatives opposed proposals to alter the character of the stud farm. It refers to representations made in December 2023 by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy requesting that the land be preserved for horse-breeding purposes. It also cites public protests against shifting the Bangalore Turf Club to Kunigal.

The petitioner further states that representations were submitted to the National Biodiversity Authority seeking declaration of the Kunigal Stud Farm as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Although the Authority forwarded the representation to the Karnataka State Biodiversity Board for appropriate action, no effective steps have allegedly been taken so far.

The petition argues that the impugned government order is arbitrary and violates the public trust doctrine, precautionary principle, sustainable development and inter-generational equity. It also alleges violation of Articles 21, 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, besides contending that the decision runs contrary to the mandate of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department to conserve livestock resources and allied ecosystems.

The petitioner has sought quashing of the March 6, 2026 Government Order, a direction restraining diversion of the Kunigal Stud Farm for purposes unrelated to equine breeding and livestock development, and directions to consider protection of the property, including its declaration as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. Pending disposal of the petition, interim relief has been sought against implementation of the government order and any construction or development connected with shifting the Bangalore Turf Club to the site.

Mr Sriram Panchu, Senior Advocate,  Mr Nikhil Kurgod, Advocate, represented the petitioner.

Mr. Arvind Kamat, Asst Solicitor General for the Union.

Case : Vijay Nishanth v. Union of India and others | WP 19358/2026