On May 9, 2025, the Gujarat High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to halt the alleged illegal operation of the Manav Sadhna Trust from the premises of the Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati. The court characterized the petition as “misconceived,” stating that it lacked substantive evidence and failed to warrant judicial intervention.

The PIL, filed by an advocate, alleged that the Manav Sadhna Trust—operated by a trustee of the original Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust—was unlawfully functioning within the Gandhi Ashram precincts. The petitioner claimed this arrangement diverted donations intended for the Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust and that the trust’s registration at the Ashram’s address was improper. The plea sought to prohibit Manav Sadhna from operating on the Ashram premises.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi observed that the petition lacked specific allegations and failed to include the alleged beneficiaries of the purportedly misused government funds. The court emphasized that no inquiry could be initiated based on mere apprehensions without substantive evidence. It also noted that the petitioner did not provide adequate grounds to question the trust’s registration or its activities within the Ashram.

This dismissal follows a series of legal challenges related to the Gandhi Ashram, including previous PILs concerning the Ashram’s redevelopment and the involvement of various trusts. In each case, the courts have upheld the legality of the trusts’ operations and the redevelopment initiatives, provided they align with the principles and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

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