A High Court in Madhya Pradesh has temporarily blocked a state move to take control of land owned by a long-established Christian college, raising concerns about administrative misconduct and the protection of minority institutions.
The Indore bench of the court ordered a stay on the proposed takeover of around 1.7 hectares of land in Indore, property belonging to Indore Christian College. The site, considered highly valuable, is central to the day-to-day running of the Church-managed institution, which serves approximately 2,300 students.
In its ruling, the court observed that local officials appeared to have ignored established procedures and may have altered records in order to proceed with the acquisition. Justice Pranay Verma said the district authorities had failed to follow instructions to maintain the status quo while the matter was under review.
Court papers indicate that the district collector authorised the takeover despite clear directions from senior officials not to take action. The judge noted that the order seemed designed to bypass those instructions.
The administration had claimed that the college no longer used the land for its original purpose and had instead allowed commercial activity. College leaders strongly rejected the allegation, describing it as unfounded.
Principal Amit David said the institution had not been consulted before the order was issued and that officials had not examined the college’s records. He stated that the land was originally donated in 1887 by the former Holkar rulers to a Canadian Christian mission to establish a hospital and a school. Because it was a gift rather than government-leased property, he argued, the state had no legal right to reclaim it.
The court’s decision offers temporary relief while the case proceeds, with the next hearing expected in the coming weeks.
Church representatives have expressed wider concern, saying the attempted takeover reflects growing pressure on Christian organisations in parts of India governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. They report that several Christian-run schools and charitable institutions have faced inspections, legal complaints and allegations related to religious conversion in recent months.
Based on reports from UCA News.
