OnlyKashmir.in News Desk

Leh: The Ladakh administration has defended its decision to cancel the land allotment granted to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), founded by climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, arguing before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that the institute failed to meet the original conditions.

In an affidavit responding to HIAL’s petition, Leh Deputy Commissioner and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Chief Executive Officer Romil Singh Donk stated that the conditional allotment of 1,076 kanals and one marla at Phyang Thang had lapsed on May 5, 2019.

According to the administration, the original order, issued on May 5, 2018, required HIAL to execute a lease deed and deposit the prescribed land premium within one year. Officials maintain that the institute neither paid the required premium and ground rent nor completed the formalities necessary to take possession.

The administration has argued that its cancellation order, issued on August 21, 2025, was legally justified because the stipulated conditions were not fulfilled. It has also referred to official records that it says show no payments or written communication during the initial period, followed by correspondence seeking a waiver of the charges.

The affidavit further questions whether the institute fulfilled the stated objective of establishing an alternative university, arguing that HIAL is not a recognised university and its courses are not affiliated with a statutory university.

HIAL has challenged the cancellation, and its chief executive, Gitanjali Angmo, has disputed the administration’s claims. The institute’s petition remains before the High Court, which will determine the legal issues arising from the allotment and its subsequent cancellation.

The administration’s submissions represent its position in the ongoing dispute and do not themselves determine the final outcome.

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