Rajasthan
Village Malusar, Ola in Tehsil Pokhran
,
Mansar
,
Jaisalmer
Published :
May 2026
|
Updated :
Renewable energy development and rural resistance: The case of Adani's 100 MW Solar Power plant in Pokhran, Jaisalmer
Reported by
Shuchi Gupta
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Rakshit Dhingra, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
31
Households affected
148
People affected
2025
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
31
Households affected
148
People Affected
2025
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Solar Energy
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Unclassifed
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Solar Energy
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

On 3 February 2025, the District Collector of Jaisalmer invited public objections regarding the land allotment to Adani Renewable Energy Holding Four Ltd in the Pokaran Tehsil to develop a 100 MW solar power project. The project area spans the villages of Mansar, Malusar, Ola, and Bahala Basti.

In response, local villagers, some of who are currently in possession of the land, raised formal objections. When these were not immediately resolved, the villagers filed writ petitions before the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur Bench).

Residents of Ola argued that the District Collector had failed to take further action since inviting objections. The petitioners, who remain in physical possession of the allotted land, have also instituted a revenue suit seeking a declaration of their possessory rights. The court disposed of the writ petition with a direction to the District Collector to consider the objections in accordance with the law. However, the court added a caveat: if the allotment process has already been finalised, the objections will not be considered, and no further adjudication will be required.

A group of 16 petitioners from Malusar jointly contested the allotment, asserting that they reside on the land in houses equipped with amenities such as electricity. They argued that the solar project would be deeply prejudicial to their interests. Noting that these petitioners currently lack formal title to the land, the court granted them leave to file their objections before the competent authority for formal review.

In a separate matter involving residents of Malusar, the petitioners were issued a decree by the Assistant District Magistrate (ADM), Pokharan, granting them Khatedari (ownership) rights over the land now allotted to Adani group. The High Court recognised this decree and subsequently granted a stay on the allotment, protecting the petitioners from dispossession and maintaining the status quo.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Private

N/A

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

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?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land, Dwelling/habitation use

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Data Unavailable

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Revenue Department (Rajasthan); Energy Department (Rajasthan); Jaisalmer District Revenue Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

No

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Adani Renewable Energy Holding Four Ltd.

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

No

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

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?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Reported by
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

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?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land, Dwelling/habitation use

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Data Unavailable

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
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