Calcutta HC directs Bengal govt to file affidavit

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal govt to file an affidavit in connection with Tata Motor's petition challenging the Singur Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011 by 8th July.

Justice Saumitra Pal directed the government to state its opposition by an affidavit to the petition of Tata Motors and also asked Tata Motors Ltd to file a reply to that by 12^th July.

Hearing on the main petition challenging the Singur Act will be held on 14^th July, Justice Pal said on Thursday.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had directed the state government not to proceed with handover or return of land to farmers in Singur until further orders by the Calcutta High Court which is hearing the petition filed by Tata Motors against the Singur Act which was enacted on 21^st June.

A vacation bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices P Sathasivam an A K Patnaik, said they were passing a 'limited interim order' and that the main matter against the state government on the issue of possession and distribution of land to original owners was pending before the Calcutta High Court.

Meanwhile, providing temporary relief to Tata Motors, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the return of Singur land to the farmers by the West Bengal government.

The apex court, in its interim order, said the state government will hold the land and maintain status quo till further orders from Calcutta high court.

The SC directed the parties to argue the merits of the case before the high court.
Tata Motors had filed two special leave petitions requesting the Supreme Court to stay the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act passed by Bengal Assembly after Trinamool Congress came to power.

It had urged the court to stop the return of land to the farmers, a process initiated by the state government after the act was passed.

The lawyer representing the state government clarified before the court that no land had been returned to farmers till now.