Did NOIDA Authorities Pay Excess Compensation To Landowners? Whether NOIDA Lacks Transparency? Supreme Court Asks SIT To Probe

The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 23) constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate whether the officers of the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) paid excess land acquisition compensation to certain land owners.The Court also asked the SIT to examine "whether the overall functioning of NOIDA lacks transparency, fairness and commitment to the cause of public interest."A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh passed the order while considering a petition filed by a Law Adviser and Legal Officer of NOIDA seeking anticipatory bail in a corruption case which was registered over the allegation that huge amount of compensation was released in favour of some land owners over and above thier legal entitlement.While considering the matter, the Court had, in September 2023, noticed that it was not a solitary instance as there were several other cases where the compensation released, prima facie, appeared to be exorbitant, for extraneous considerations and on quid pro quo basis. Therefore, a Fact Finding Committee was constituted. However, the Court recorded dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Committee as it started investigating cases where compensation was enhanced by judicial orders.Later, the Court suggested that a Special Investigation Team be constituted, consisting of IPS officer from the UP Cadre but not belonging to UP. In October 2024, Garima Prashad, the Additional Advocate General, handed over a list of names of officers who can be in the SIT.The Court constituted the SIT with the following members :Shri S.B. Shiradkar, IPS, Additional General of, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Zone Lucknow.Shri Modak Rajesh D.Rao, IPS, I.G., CBCID,Shri Hemant Kutiyal, IPS, presently posted as Commandant, Uttar Pradesh, Special Range Security Battalion, Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P.Mandate of the SITThe Court directed that the Special Investigation Team shall, inter alia, look into the issues (i) whether the quantum of compensation paid to the land owners was higher than they are entitled to in terms of the judgments passed by the courts from time to time; (ii) if so, whowere the officers/officials responsible for such exorbitant payment; (iii) whether there was any collusion or connivance between the beneficiaries and officers/officials of NOIDA; and (iv) whether the overall functioning of NOIDA lacks transparency, fairness and commitment to the cause of public interest.The SIT will be free to look into any other allied issue that may arise for its consideration during the course of investigation.The Court ordered that the SIT should submit a report to the Court within two months. As regards the bail application of the Legal Officer, the Court noted that he has already been granted interim protection and that he has joined the investigation.The Court also clarified that no coercive action should be taken against landowners/farmers without the prior permission of the Court.Case : Virendra Singh Nagar v. State of Uttar Pradesh and anotherCitation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 141Click here to read the order

Did NOIDA Authorities Pay Excess Compensation To Landowners? Whether NOIDA Lacks Transparency? Supreme Court Asks SIT To Probe

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