Ahmedabad: After a 35-year-long legal battle and the death of over 60% of workers waiting for compensation after their mill went bankrupt, the Gujarat High Court has approved the sale of 58,000 square yards of land belonging to the Aryoday Spinning & Weaving Mills Co Ltd in Ahmedabad’s Asarwa area for ₹82 crore.

Devbhoomi Agrifresh Pvt Ltd sought the court’s intervention to participate in the bidding process, despite objections from other bidders. Advocate Dhimant Vasavada, representing the Textile Labour Association during the liquidation, explained that Aryoday Mill went bankrupt in 1989, and it took years for the official liquidator to clear the mill’s leasehold land for sale. Since its closure, 3,285 workers have been awaiting their rightful dues.

“To date, only ₹55 lakh has been disbursed to the workers, which came from the sale of the mill’s plant and machinery. Unfortunately, around 60% of the workers have passed away,” Vasavada said.

The official liquidator had made five previous attempts since 2016 to sell the land for a fair price. When Devbhoomi Agrifresh offered the highest bid, Justice Mauna Bhatt stated that the court, exercising its discretionary powers, could accept the bid, considering the paramount interests of the secured creditors. The High Court also acknowledged the long wait endured by the workers.