SC Penalizes Greater Noida Authority for Land Acquisition

The Supreme Court of India in its latest land distribution order in U.P states- “State governments are taking advantage of the colonial land acquisition law to push poor out of  the development agenda”. The apex court slams the builders (Super Tech and Amrapali) along with the U.P government also, for misusing the colonial law (Land Acquisition Act, 1894). A fine of Rs.10 lakhs has also been imposed on the Greater Noida authorities for allotting land to the builders, thus believing in Allahabad High Courts decision. 

 

However the Greater Noida Authority along with the builders argued that they are building residential flats for the poor. This explanation did not satisfy Supreme Court Justice GS Sanghvi and AK Ganguly. They reacted by saying-"Do you think judges live in fools' paradise? Development for whom? Look at your brochures which say housing complexes will have swimming pool, spa, ayurvedic massage centres. Are these for poor? Even a horse will laugh at this argument."  

 

Even the Mayawati led U.P government was not let off. The Supreme Court of India also severely reprimanded them for such behavior by saying-"When people protest against acquisition of their land, men are arrested and women are raped."