The Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020
The Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020
The Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020 strictly prohibits the illegal occupation, unauthorized construction, and fraudulent transfer of public and private land across Gujarat. It applies to individuals, companies, and organizations that forcibly or deceptively occupy land, fund land grabbing, or collect illegal rent through intimidation. The law matters because it combats land cartels and protects property rights by establishing Special Courts mandated to resolve disputes within six months. Crucially, it shifts the burden of proof onto the accused, imposes severe punishment ranging from ten to fourteen years of imprisonment, and empowers courts to restore stolen land directly to rightful owners.
- 0. Preamble
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Land grabbing to be unlawful
- 4. Prohibition on land grabbing
- 5. Penalty for other offences in connection with land grabbing
- 6. Offences by companies
- 7. Constitution of Special Courts
- 8. Public Prosecutor
- 9. Procedure and powers of Special Courts
- 10. Special Court to have powers of Civil Court and the Court of Sessions
- 11. Burden of proof
- 12. Information to be recorded and investigation to be carried out by the police officer
- 13. Persons acting under the Act to be public servants
- 14. Protection of action taken in good faith
- 15. Act to override other laws
- 16. Power to make rules
- 17. Prohibition of alienation of lands grabbed
- 18. Power of State Government to remove difficulties
- 19. Repeal and saving
PDF: pending for this language.