In a significant relief for thousands of students, the Supreme Court on Thursday (15 January 2026) put on hold the Madras High Court’s order directing the eviction of SASTRA University from government land in Thanjavur. The Bench said the issue should not turn into a “prestige battle” for the State and reminded authorities that a welfare government must value institutions serving the public good.
Background of the Case
The dispute concerns 31.37 acres of government land adjoining SASTRA’s own patta land. Over the years, the area has become part of an integrated campus with classrooms, hostels, roads and utilities.
Read also:- No Test Identification, Doubtful Witnesses: Kerala High Court Sets Aside Life Term After 7 Years
In January this year, the Madras High Court upheld the Tamil Nadu government’s decision rejecting SASTRA’s request for land assignment or exchange and ordered its eviction within four weeks. The University moved the Supreme Court, saying the order would disrupt education for more than 12,000 students across law, engineering, science, management and liberal arts.
The case has a long history. Back in 2018, the Supreme Court had allowed SASTRA to make representations to the State. Between 2018 and 2021, the University proposed several land-exchange options. A State committee examined the issue but rejected the requests in 2022, followed by an eviction notice that triggered fresh litigation.
Court’s Observations
Hearing the matter, a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vijay Bishnoi struck a careful balance between law and public interest.
Read also:- Unnao Rape Case: Delhi High Court Seeks CBI Reply as Survivor Moves Plea to Lead Fresh Evidence
“The State should not see this as a question of prestige,” the Bench observed, stressing that while encroachment on public land cannot be encouraged, this case involved a public educational institution, not a commercial venture.
The judges noted that the land has been used for decades by a university performing an important public function and said governments must act with sensitivity in such situations.
SASTRA also pointed out that the State’s claim of reserving the land for an open-air prison was never backed by a formal notification. The University relied on the State’s own land-exchange policy, saying it had even offered alternative parcels larger than the disputed area.
The Decision
The Supreme Court stayed the eviction order and allowed SASTRA to continue functioning from its present premises for now. It directed the University to submit a detailed representation to the Tamil Nadu government and asked the State to examine it within four weeks.
Read also:- Allahabad HC Quashes Summoning in Marital Dispute, Flags Police Lapses in Non-Cognizable
With this interim protection, the Court ensured that academic life on the campus remains uninterrupted while the larger dispute is reconsidered by the government.
Case Title: SASTRA University v. State of Tamil Nadu
Case No.: Special Leave Petition (SLP) – number not specified
Decision Date: 15 January 2026
