The Supreme Court has held that the land acquisition by Haryana Urban Development Authority8217;s HUDA for Pinjore-Kalka Urban Complex project was 8220;prima facie8221; illegal as it benefited private builders under the guise of public purpose and directed halt of all work.
It appeared that 8220;private companies and builders were benefited 8220;in the guise of acquiring land for public purpose8221;,a bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya observed directing the Haryana government to stop all construction work on the project till further orders.
The land measuring over 809 acres were occurred in 2007 for developing a commercial and industrial hub.
The bench said before passing any order like quashing of land acquisition for the project,the companies,the builders and others in whose favour the land was released need to be made party to the case.
8220;We are prima facie of the view that the entire acquisition proceeding deserve to be quashed. However,before passing any order in that regard,we deem it proper to order implement of all the persons,in whose favour land was released at different stages as parties to the special leave petitions,8221; the bench said.
The bench said 8220;with a view to avoid further complications in the matter,we direct the State of Haryana and its functionaries and also the impleaded respondents not to undertake further constructions on the land which was acquired8221;.
8220;This would mean that all the ongoing construction activities shall be stopped forthwith,8221; the bench said.
The bench observed that the lists of the persons in whose favour land was released show that most of them are builders or their collaborators.