Punjab & Haryana HC halts sale of acquired land

21 Sep 2023 CW Team

The court's decision stems from worries about undue influence and improprieties in the sale and development of acquired land. It is believed that some builders and developers may have engaged in activities that exploit loopholes or lax enforcement in land acquisition processes, possibly to the detriment of public interest and proper urban planning.

Under the court's orders, the Chief Secretary is tasked with several key responsibilities. Firstly, the Chief Secretary is required to requisition comprehensive reports on acquired land. This entails obtaining detailed information about the status and history of land acquisition, including the specific purposes for which it was acquired.

Additionally, the Chief Secretary is mandated to issue specific directives to the Department of Revenue to ensure that relevant revenue records are accurately updated to reflect the status of acquired land. This updated information is crucial for maintaining transparency and preventing unauthorised transactions.

Furthermore, the court has called for the sharing of this vital information with all registrars and sub-registrars operating within Haryana. By doing so, the court aims to create a system where officials responsible for registering property transactions are well-informed about the acquired land and can exercise due diligence in preventing potentially unlawful registrations.

In a move to address the alleged misconduct, the Chief Secretary has been instructed to initiate an in-house inquiry. This inquiry will focus on the circumstances surrounding the issuance of licenses to private builders and other relevant stakeholders for the development of residential colonies on government land. It aims to ascertain whether any irregularities, breaches of protocol, or unethical practices occurred during the grant of these licenses.

Crucially, the court has made it clear that if the inquiry reports reveal any indications of criminal misconduct or legal violations, the government must take appropriate actions to initiate criminal proceedings against the responsible officials and individuals. This underscores the seriousness with which the court views the issue of potential misconduct in land acquisition and development.

In addition to these specific measures, the court has also ordered a probe into the registration of a sale deed related to acquired land in the Badshahpur area of Gurgaon. This investigation seeks to uncover any irregularities or improprieties in the registration of land transactions involving acquired land.

In summary, the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directives are aimed at addressing concerns about the integrity of land acquisition and development processes in Haryana. By establishing mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and thorough investigation, the court intends to safeguard the public interest and uphold the rule of law in matters related to land and property.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken significant steps to address concerns regarding a potential nexus between builders/colonisers and the Department of Town and Country Planning Haryana. In a recent ruling, the High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Haryana to establish a mechanism aimed at preventing the registration of sale deeds for land that has been acquired by the government.The court's decision stems from worries about undue influence and improprieties in the sale and development of acquired land. It is believed that some builders and developers may have engaged in activities that exploit loopholes or lax enforcement in land acquisition processes, possibly to the detriment of public interest and proper urban planning.Under the court's orders, the Chief Secretary is tasked with several key responsibilities. Firstly, the Chief Secretary is required to requisition comprehensive reports on acquired land. This entails obtaining detailed information about the status and history of land acquisition, including the specific purposes for which it was acquired.Additionally, the Chief Secretary is mandated to issue specific directives to the Department of Revenue to ensure that relevant revenue records are accurately updated to reflect the status of acquired land. This updated information is crucial for maintaining transparency and preventing unauthorised transactions.Furthermore, the court has called for the sharing of this vital information with all registrars and sub-registrars operating within Haryana. By doing so, the court aims to create a system where officials responsible for registering property transactions are well-informed about the acquired land and can exercise due diligence in preventing potentially unlawful registrations.In a move to address the alleged misconduct, the Chief Secretary has been instructed to initiate an in-house inquiry. This inquiry will focus on the circumstances surrounding the issuance of licenses to private builders and other relevant stakeholders for the development of residential colonies on government land. It aims to ascertain whether any irregularities, breaches of protocol, or unethical practices occurred during the grant of these licenses.Crucially, the court has made it clear that if the inquiry reports reveal any indications of criminal misconduct or legal violations, the government must take appropriate actions to initiate criminal proceedings against the responsible officials and individuals. This underscores the seriousness with which the court views the issue of potential misconduct in land acquisition and development.In addition to these specific measures, the court has also ordered a probe into the registration of a sale deed related to acquired land in the Badshahpur area of Gurgaon. This investigation seeks to uncover any irregularities or improprieties in the registration of land transactions involving acquired land.In summary, the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directives are aimed at addressing concerns about the integrity of land acquisition and development processes in Haryana. By establishing mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and thorough investigation, the court intends to safeguard the public interest and uphold the rule of law in matters related to land and property.