Plea against land takeover for Nano car plant dismissed

Plea against land takeover for Nano car plant dismissed New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the acquisition of 110 acres of land for setting up a plant for Tata's Nano car near Ahmedabad in October 2008.

A bench of Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Justice J. M. Panchal and Justice B. S. Chauhan dismissed the lawsuit, questioning the stake of the petitioner in the acquisition of the land.

The acquisition of the land to set up Nano car plant had been challenged by H. K. Thakkar, who described himself as little-known Rashtriya Kisan Dal member.

Questioning Thakkar's locus standi, the bench asked if the affected farmers themselves have not approached the court, what stakes does he have in the case.

The petitioner contended that the land had been acquired by the British government in 1909 without paying any compensation to the farmers.

He said the land remained idle for nearly three decades after which it was transferred to Anand Krishi University in 1939.

And now it has been unceremoniously handed over to Tata for setting up its car plant, contended Thakker, adding it violated public interest.

But the apex court dismissed his arguments.(IANS)