SC slams Mayawati govt for acquiring lands in Greater Noida

Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled the Mayawati govt saying that state govt is working for one particular section of society referring to builders and developers while risking ruining of five generations of farmers. 

The apex court questioned the the state govt's decision of invoking the emergency clause denying farmers an opportunity to raise objection against the forcible acquisition of their land.

The court was hearing petitions of state govt, greater Noida development authority and some builders against the Allahabad high court order cancelling the allotment of 157 acres in Noida.

The apex court said a "sinister campaign" has been launched by various state governments to take adavantage of the law against the poor people for taking away the land and giving it to builders where multiplexes, malls, posh residential complexes are developed which are beyond the reach of common men.

"Do you think judges live in fools' paradise"? snapped a bench of Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly when senior advocate P P Rao responded to a question that the residential complexes were being developed for the "needy".

"You are building hotels, malls, commercial complexes, townships where common men have no access. Does it come under the perception of public purpose for which the land have been acquired"?

The bench questioned the change by Uttar Pradesh government in land use in Greater Noida and said "this is not the plan for which the land is acquired. How different notifications came out for changing the use of land".

The sharp remarks were made by the bench during the hearing on petitions filed by Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and real estate developers and builders, including Supertech and Amrapali, challenging the Allahabad High Court order which had quashed the notifications for land acquisition in Greater Noida adjoining the national capital.

The bench made it clear that it was not going to stay the High Court verdict and would go ahead with  hearing the parties.

"We are indicating that we are not inclined to stay the order of the High Court. We are not inclined to entertain the special leave petition. We will ask only for your submissions," the bench said.

While Rao, appearing for Supertech, contended the development of residential complexes were for the "needy", the bench drew his attention to the brochure of the company saying "what is there in it is not for the poor people".

"Look at your own brouchure. It is saying about swimming pool, spa, tennis court, badminton court, beauty parlour, ayurvedic massage etc. All these are for poor people?

"I am reading from your own brouchure. Is it for a common man? Land is taken and given to the builder. This is a sinister plan," the bench said.

"Land is given for the development which must be inclusive. The state is taking advantage of the law against the poor. A sinister campaign is made by various state governments. The state is doing a totally anti-people thing," it said.

While maintaining that the purpose of the land acquisition was being defeated, the bench said the poorest man in society should benefit in public interest but "you (auhtorities) are responding in such a way that they (the poor and common men) are driven out".