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HC asks for explanation on illegal land takeover by NTPC
New Delhi, Aug 24: The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre, NTPC and the Land Acquisition Collector (South Delhi) to clarify whether they are in possession of a piece of land in village Aali of the capital, whose owner alleged `illegal` take over of the land without formal acquisition.
New Delhi, Aug 24: The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre, NTPC and the Land Acquisition Collector (South Delhi) to clarify whether they are in possession of a piece of land in village Aali of the capital, whose owner alleged "illegal" take over of the land without formal acquisition.
"If the land is not acquired and is not in possession of the respondents, specific statement shall be made, and if they are in possession, they shall state before the court as to who handed over the possession", a division bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A K Sikri said.
Taking the respondents to task for "highhandedness", the bench said it was required to see if the petitioner was dispossessed in accordance with law and if he was paid compensation. It asked the Centre to find out those who handed over possession of the land and fixed Monday for hearing.
Taking the respondents to task for "highhandedness", the bench said it was required to see if the petitioner was dispossessed in accordance with law and if he was paid compensation. It asked the Centre to find out those who handed over possession of the land and fixed Monday for hearing.
However, NTPC took possession of 45 bigha 7 biswa including a piece of land measuring 2 bigha 14 biswa, Charan alleged in his petition filed through counsel R K Saini.
He approached the court last year after the respondents allegedly ignored his letters asking them to acquire the extra land which had been "illegally" taken possession of by them.
Interestingly, Centre claimed that since the land in question was not acquired, there was no question of paying any compensation, while the NTPC submitted that possession was taken on behalf of Union of India.
Bureau Report
"If the land is not acquired and is not in possession of the respondents, specific statement shall be made, and if they are in possession, they shall state before the court as to who handed over the possession", a division bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A K Sikri said.
Taking the respondents to task for "highhandedness", the bench said it was required to see if the petitioner was dispossessed in accordance with law and if he was paid compensation. It asked the Centre to find out those who handed over possession of the land and fixed Monday for hearing.
Taking the respondents to task for "highhandedness", the bench said it was required to see if the petitioner was dispossessed in accordance with law and if he was paid compensation. It asked the Centre to find out those who handed over possession of the land and fixed Monday for hearing.
However, NTPC took possession of 45 bigha 7 biswa including a piece of land measuring 2 bigha 14 biswa, Charan alleged in his petition filed through counsel R K Saini.
He approached the court last year after the respondents allegedly ignored his letters asking them to acquire the extra land which had been "illegally" taken possession of by them.
Interestingly, Centre claimed that since the land in question was not acquired, there was no question of paying any compensation, while the NTPC submitted that possession was taken on behalf of Union of India.
Bureau Report