M A I N   N E W S

Cancel Gurgaon DLF land deal, HC tells Hooda govt
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 3
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the Haryana Government to cancel the allocation of 350-acre prime land in Gurgaon to real estate giant DLF.

The land, acquired for “public purpose”, was transferred to DLF, which was developing air-conditioned apartments and villas, along with an 18-hole golf course, on it. The verdict was announced on petitions alleging that the state government had acquired the land in Wazirabad village to develop a recreational and leisure project, but transferred it to DLF, allegedly jeopardising the interest of villagers.

The Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant asked the state authorities to re-allot the land through international bidding within a month. The Bench made it clear that DLF, too, could participate in the fresh bidding process.

The development is significant as the Congress government in Haryana is under fire for its land deals. The opposition parties have already “promised” to probe land deals in the state.

The matter was brought to the High Court’s notice after a bunch of petitions was filed by Wazirabad villagers who alleged that the government had acquired the land so that DLF could establish its “dream project” on it. Accusing the government of indulging in gross violations in the transfer of land to DLF, the petitioners submitted that it could not have been transferred to a private company to run commercial activities as it was actually acquired for “public purpose”.

“The record reveals that DLF, in collusion with the authorities of the state, had adopted an alternate method to get the land of the gram panchayat,” the petitioners submitted. Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had acquired the land on two occasions. Initially, 75 acres were sought to be acquired through notification issued on September 8, 1997. Then, around 275 acres were sought through notification of August 8, 2003.

Fresh bidding in a month

• Acquired for “public purpose”, the land in Wazirabad village, Gurgaon, was transferred to DLF, which was developing golf course and villas on it for commercial sale
• The Bench asked the state government headed by BS Hooda to re-allot the land through international bidding, in which DLF could also participate, within a month.