Local residents and environmentalists have been protesting against tree-cutting in the Dol Ka Badh for a Fintech Park in Sanganer tehsil in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The conflict centres around a 100-acre forest-like area known as Dol Ka Badh, which, although officially zoned as “industrial land” by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), has over the years regenerated into an urban forest with rich biodiversity. Locals use it for walking, recreation, and nature-based community activities.
On 24 February 2021, the then Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the government's plan to construct the Fintech Park. The Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), which owns the Dol Ka Badh land, proposed to develop the Fintech Park and Unity Mall as part of a broader investment push. In November 2022, RIICO signed MoUs with IIM Udaipur and Mewar University to act as knowledge and skill partners for the Fintech Park. However, the Fintech Park project was shelved after public backlash.
In 2024, the Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, unveiled plans to convert Dol Ka Badh into an industrial zone, which would house a PM Unity Mall, a fintech park, hotels, and a Rajasthan Mandapam. The move sparked another wave of protests. RIICO issued a Rs 170 crore tender was issued in January 2024 for Unity Mall construction.
Local residents, environmentalists, and civil society groups have strongly opposed the project, calling for the land to be reclassified as “forest” or “urban commons” based on its current use and ecological function. Protesters argue that the development violates both environmental norms and democratic planning principles. Despite these demands, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted, and the land's classification remains unchanged in the Jaipur Master Plan.
Public mobilisations escalated in 2025. On 3 May 2025, police detained four activists during a protest against tree-felling. On 1 June, over 1,500 people formed a human chain to protest the planned cutting of 2,500 trees. On 22 June 2025, Jaipur Police deployed 600–700 personnel and preventively detained several activists—including prominent civil rights leader Kavita Srivastava—to stop a peaceful sit-in near the forest. Detainees were taken to remote police stations and released later the same day. No violence was reported during custody, but activists and human rights groups denounced the action as a violation of fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and free speech, guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution.
Meanwhile, RIICO argued that it acquired the land between 1982 and 1984 under the Rajasthan Land Acquisition Act, 1953. In 1988, it was allotted for industrial use for the Gem Stone Industrial Park, although later this allotment and lease were cancelled. RIICO officials said that due to non-use of the land for a long time, some plants and bushes have grown automatically and some trees are already present. The trees present on the spot are being shifted only after following due process and taking permission from the competent level.
As on 22 August 2025, no criminal charges have been filed against protesters, and no delays have been announced in the Unity Mall construction, which continues according to its timeline. The land in question remains publicly owned by RIICO but is contested as commons by citizens. The situation has become a symbol of broader tensions between state-led urban expansion and community-led environmental conservation.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Preserve Dol Ka Badh; Relocate Industrial Development; Transparent Public Consultation
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Private
What was the action taken by the police?
Preventive Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
50
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from detention
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
No
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
3000
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2021
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Case Laws, Case Laws, Environmental Law, Environmental Law, Case Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of fundamental rights
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) — a section that allows preventive arrests aimed at averting potential unlawful assemblies before they occur.
Reported Details of the Violation:
The human rights violations associated with the Dol Ka Badh protest in Jaipur occurred primarily during events on June 22–23, 2025, when environmental activists attempted to organize a peaceful sit-in (dharna) against the Fintech Park development. The protest, which was publicly announced and planned to be held near the forest site, was met with a heavy police deployment of over 600–700 personnel. Authorities denied permission for the gathering, citing concerns over public order, and began preemptively detaining protestors arriving at or near the site. At least 50-60 people, including school students and activists were taken into custody. Detainees included prominent activists such as Kavita Srivastava (PUCL-Rajasthan), Ashutosh Ranka, Deepak Baliyan, and Vijendra Shekhawat. Protestors were transported to remote police stations outside the city, and some were allegedly held without timely access to legal support or clear justification. These actions have been widely criticised by civil liberties groups and legal experts as violations of fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution. The protest was explicitly non-violent, aimed at drawing attention to the ecological significance of Dol Ka Badh and the lack of environmental and public consultation procedures. According to PUCL and other civil society statements, the detentions amounted to suppression of dissent and unlawful restriction of peaceful protest, and activists have characterized it as a clear example of state overreach and intimidation. In summary, the human rights violations stem from preventive detentions of peaceful protesters, denial of lawful assembly, and the use of criminal procedure to restrict civic action without any reported threat to public safety, thereby undermining democratic norms and environmental justice advocacy.
Date of Violation
June 21, 2025
Location of Violation
The incident involving the preventive detention of environmental activists during the Dol Ka Badh protest took place in and around the Dol Ka Badh forest area, located in Sanganer Tehsil, Jaipur District, Rajasthan.
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Rajasthan Industries Department; Jaipur Development Authority (JDA)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Yes
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
N/A
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Save Dol Ka Badh Collective
What was the action taken by the police?
Preventive Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
50
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from detention
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
No
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Nayantara Lakshman works at the intersection of community conservation and development. She has explored the complexities of land and resource rights across landscapes and seascapes through legal case studies, and is interested in how nature education can support more grounded and just relationships with place. She enjoys writing about her field experiences and the people and places she learns from.
