Delhi High Court pulls up municipal council for callousness

New Delhi, Dec 1

The Delhi High Court Monday pulled up New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for its "callous attitude" towards a land acquisition case pending for over 30 years and asked the agency's chairman to appear before it.

A division bench of Justices A.K.Sikri and Manmohan Singh said that despite earlier observations, the NDMC did not act in a "proper manner", and asked its chairman to appear in person Dec 3.

It was an admitted position that the NDMC had encroached upon and usurped the land belonging to the Guru Nanak Vidhya Bhandar Trust land in 1979, without formally acquiring it, the court said.

"More than 30 years have elapsed since the possession of the land was taken by the NDMC, and the petitioner is still trying to get proper compensation for acquisition of the land," the court observed.

"The manner in which the suit earlier proceeded and now the present petition is prolonged, gives us an impression that not only the petitioner but even the court is taken for a ride," it added.

In 1979, the Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust had filed a suit for recovery of a piece of land (9, Jantar Mantar Road) situated in the heart of the national capital. The land was used to extend the Tolstoy Marg from Janpath to the Parliament Street.

In March 2006, the court gave its judgment against the civic body, which was later challenged by it before a division bench and in the Supreme Court. On both occasions, those appeals were dismissed -- in May 2007 and Oct 2007 respectively.

It was then that the NDMC initiated the process of land acquisition.

Last updated on Dec 1^st, 2008 at 21:32 pm IST--IANS

Other News Headlines

Congress to ask two West Bengal legislators for explanation

Kolkata, Jan 7

The West Bengal Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Wednesday decided to send a show-cause notice to its two senior legislators - Somen Mitra who floated his own party, and Sudip Bandhopadhyay who joined Trinamool Congress - after leaving the party recently.

Read Complete Story »

Talks fail to end oil sector strike

New Delhi, Jan 7

Talks between Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and representatives of the striking employees of public sector oil companies ended late Wednesday night without any positive result.

Read Complete Story »

BJP leaders have lost mental balance, says sacked Chhattisgarh MP (Lead)

Raipur, Jan 7

Tara Chand Sahu, a Lok Sabha me4mber from Chhattisgarh who was sacked from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for anti-party activities, Wednesday said senior party leaders have lost their "mental balance".

Read Complete Story »

Denmark eyes greater economic cooperation with India

Kolkata, Jan 7

There will be around 15 percent rise in bilateral trade between India and Denmark in 2008-09, the Danish envoy said here Wednesday.

Read Complete Story »

Bikers open fire at Delhi businessman's car

New Delhi, Jan 7

Four unidentified motorbike-riders opened indiscriminate gunfire at a car but a businessman and three of his employees who were riding the car escaped unharmed, the police said Wednesday.

Read Complete Story »

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password