The Karnataka High Court has cancelled the acquisition of one acre of land for the controversial Bangalore-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP). The order came after 17 long years without taking possession or paying compensation. Justice K.S. Hemalekha allowed a petition by 65-year-old Rathna S. Reddy. She challenged notifications from 2006-2008 about acquiring her land in Thalaghattapura village, Bengaluru. The court said the "unexplained delay of 17 years" after the 2008 notification destroyed the legal basis for the acquisition. It added that delays of 9 to 14 years in compensation awards had previously led to similar cancellations. The court ruled the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) cannot keep property under acquisition indefinitely without concluding the process. The petitioner showed that KIADB was named in her land records since 2006. While the project group NICE claimed the land was essential for a permanent ramp connecting Kanakpura Road to BMICP, the court noted the BMICP Area Planning Authority said no ramps or related facilities were planned on that land. The court highlighted constitutional rights under Article 300A, emphasizing "right of restitution and fair compensation" and "timely conclusion of proceedings." Earlier court decisions on BMICP did not cover this land acquisition issue, as it was notified later. This fresh ruling marks a major setback for BMICP land acquisition efforts.