HC seeks HSVP reply over pond land allocation for pvt housing
Haryana Sahari Vikas Pradhikaran
(HSVP) to allot a small piece of land, historically used as a pond in
Mansa Devi Complex
(MDC) Panchkula, to a private builder for a luxury housing project has come under the scanner, with the
Punjab and Haryana high court
directing HSVP to file a reply on the issue by Monday.
The land of the pond situated in Bhainsa Tibba village in MDC, which was originally acquired for public purposes by the govt, was allotted to Softobiz Technologies Private Limited for Rs 24.52 crore in June 2024 for construction of multi-crore apartments.
According to the plea, this amounts to a clear case of land-use fraud, asserting that land acquired under the guise of public purpose was diverted for private commercial gain, contravening both the
Land Acquisition Act
and environmental protection laws.
Th counsel for the petitioner also cited multiple Supreme Court (SC) rulings, emphasising that land acquired for public use cannot be repurposed for private profits. The petition also invokes provisions of the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Act, 2018, which prohibit construction on designated pond land without govt clearance and references the Centre's 'Mission Amrit Sarovar' scheme aimed at rejuvenating water bodies nationwide.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
A division bench, comprising Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Alok Jain, took cognisance of the plea and asked HSVP to file a reply. The matter has reached the HC in the wake of a petition filed by Rajinder Singh, 71, a resident of Bhainsa Tibba village in the MDC area of Panchkula.
The petitioner's counsel highlighted that a previous writ petition (CWP No. 8961 of 2002) on the matter was dismissed by the high court, with the state assuring the court that the pond lost its character and was required for a vital public project.
However, no development followed, and on Nov 22, 2022, the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board meeting chaired by the chief minister discussed a proposal to sell the land. Later, the possession was transferred to the HSVP in May 2023, which then allotted the plot to Softobiz for Rs 24.52 crore in June 2024, the counsel informed the court.
The high court was also informed that the land was acquired ostensibly for religious and public welfare projects — namely for a dharamshala, bhandara facilities, and a dispensary — under the aegis of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board.
The petitioner has sought the quashing of the original notifications regarding the acquisition of the land and the June 28, 2024, allotment letter that transferred around 1.1 acres to a private firm. The HC has been informed that this pond is still reflected in the jamabandi (record of rights) for 2020-21.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
India, UK unveil road map to boost defence, tech, energy ties
India, UK unveil road map to boost defence, tech, energy ties Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly raised issues like the need to shun double standards on terrorism, presence of Indian economic offenders in the UK and Khalistan extremism in his meeting with counterpart Keir Starmer, saying those who use democratic freedom to undermine democracy must be held accountable. Thanking Starmer for his strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Modi said that the two leaders were united in their view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism. Modi also said that Indian and British agencies would work together for the extradition of economic offenders, in what was seen as a clear message to fugitives such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Sanjay Bhandari that government intends to get them back to face legal action in the country. Although government has got assistance, Mallya and Nirav Modi have been seeking to prolong their stay in the UK by using multiple forums for appeal. While the formalisation of India-UK free trade agreement was the highlight of Modi's visit to the UK, another significant takeaway was the launch of a Vision 2035 roadmap for boosting ties in areas like defence, technology, education, clean energy and people-to-people contacts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The leaders adopted a blueprint for defence industrial cooperation to promote, as the Indian government said, collaboration in co-design, co-development and co-production of defence products to meet the growing demand in both countries as well as for the world market. On the issue of Khalistan extremism, which he was expected to raise with Starmer, Modi said there was agreement between India and the UK that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. "Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account," said the PM, in his joint press statement with the UK PM. "On the matter of extradition of economic offenders as well, our agencies will continue to work together in close coordination and cooperation," added Modi, who sought the UK's cooperation in bringing the fugitives to justice. India and the UK also reached an agreement between the CBI and the UK's National Crime Agency to jointly fight organised crime. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said that the leaders committed to strengthen the global fight against terrorism. "While noting that extremism and radicalisation pose threat to both societies, they agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation to deal with the menace," said the official. Modi said that Vision 2035 will serve as a roadmap for a strong, trusted, and ambitious partnership in the areas of technology, defence, climate, education, and people-to-people connectivity. "It is our commitment that, from AI to critical minerals, semiconductors to cyber security, we shall create the future together," he said, while inviting Starmer to visit India soon. Starmer accepted the invitation. Amid concerns over the erratic US trade policies, both sides also sought to promote a fair, non-discriminatory and inclusive trading system. According to the roadmap, India and the UK reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and to strengthening multilateralism through meaningful reform. Importantly for India, the roadmap focuses on reform of the United Nations, including the security council, and other multilateral institutions such as the Commonwealth, WTO, WHO, IMF, and the World Bank, ensuring these bodies "reflect contemporary global realities and are equipped to address emerging challenges".
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rs 5,000 to register mutually divided ancestral property
1 2 Lucknow: The department of stamp and registration is working on a proposal to cut down stamp duty for partition of properties from 7% of the value of a property to a flat Rs 5,000. Partition of property refers to division of ancestral property among various claimants. Due to the high cost of registration of 'aapsi sehmati' or mutual consent settlements, families end up going to revenue or civil courts which means that matters can get dragged on for months, if not years. By easing registration charges, the government hopes to reduce pendency in civil and revenue courts. An official confirmed that the proposal will be taken to Cabinet for clearance in about a month. Partition of property is when the co-owners of a property mutually agree to divide the property among themselves and accordingly get it registered under Article 45 of the Registration Act, 1908. For instance, if an ancestral house is owned by two siblings, and two generations down they have 16 descendants, then the property needs to be divided into 16 parts, which includes the decision on which part of the property goes to whom. "Registration of stamp duty is 5% of the property price in Noida and 7% in the rest of the state. To avoid this cost, families end up going to the revenue department or to civil courts which could take months to dispose of each matter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo This process can be completed in just five minutes through mutual agreement now. To reduce this burden, a flat rate of Rs 5,000 per registration has been proposed," said minister Ravindra Jaiswal. In fact, the idea to reduce registration to a flat rate was mooted by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in 2024 not just to reduce pendency in courts but since in the case of partition there is no sale or purchase of property but just division, it was felt that high registration rates were unfair on citizens. Meanwhile, other aspects of property settlement within families where a similar reduction in stamp registration can be expected within the next few months include settlement under Article 58 of the Registration Act, 1908, where a person distributes property among heirs while still alive, release, and exchange of ancestral properties.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Don't run, they'll shoot you': Brother recalls last words before cops took Surmukh to his death
1 2 Amritsar: A CBI court's order to sentence a former SP to 10 years in prison for killing two constables in a staged encounter on April 18, 1993, has stirred up painful memories for Kashmir Singh, whose elder brother, Surmukh Singh, was one of the victims. Sitting at his home in Mucchal village, 30km from here, Kashmir remembered how his brother saved his life when he saw him the last time. He, however, was of the view that the court's verdict was too lenient and three other personnel, who were acquitted, too should have been held accountable. "On that fateful day, a police team arrived at our home and picked up Surmukh. When I questioned why he was being taken away, they misbehaved with me. When I insisted, they grabbed me by the legs, bundled me into their vehicle, and drove off," he said. The CBI court in Mohali handed down the 10-year sentence to retired SP Paramjit Singh, the SHO of Beas police station in 1993, on Wednesday. Kashmir said after traveling a short distance, the cops stopped the vehicle and told him to get down and run. "But Surmukh, who was tightly held by the police, called out to me: 'Don't run; if you run, they will shoot you'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo I did not move a step. The police then drove off with my brother. That's how he saved my life," Kashmir added. The court acquitted former inspector Dharam Singh (77), the then SHO of Lopoke police station; and ASIs Kashmir Singh (79) and Darbara Singh (71), citing lack of evidence. Kashmir sought capital punishment for the guilty policeman. Surmukh's son, Charanjit Singh, who was not even born when his father was killed and who was present in court when the former SP was sentenced to 10 years in prison, vowed not to stop till everyone was brought to book. "The sentence is too less for the crime they committed. I will not stop here. I will move to a higher court," he added. Though Charanjit had been recruited as a Punjab Police officer in 2012, he was never recruited as he had been tagged "son of a terrorist". He now works as a private driver, earning Rs 9,000 a month. Charanjit, a father of two, demanded the govt issue his appointment letter, along with compensation and job-related benefits for the 13 years he was unable to join the service. An acquaintance of Surmukh and resident of Muchhal village, Balbir Singh Muchhal said 10 years was nothing. "When those entrusted with the law break it, their punishment should reflect the gravity of that betrayal," he added.
