Allahabad High Court Summons Lucknow DM in Land Acquisition Dispute
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has issued a summons to Lucknow District Magistrate Vishak G, requiring his appearance on Tuesday. This action comes in response to serious allegations that the government is attempting to acquire land belonging to La Martiniere College for development work without adhering to proper legal procedures.
Court Orders and Non-Compliance
The court had previously directed the measurement of the disputed land, but due to a failure to comply with this order, the bench has now taken this stringent step. The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Amitabh Kumar Rai, who are hearing a petition filed by La Martiniere College.
The petition highlights that the college owns land at Kothi Martin Sahib, Ganeshganj Station, where the government plans to construct a road and a flyover as part of the Green Corridor project. The college has asserted that this construction is proceeding on its property without any consent from the institution or the initiation of a formal acquisition process by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), district administration, or state government.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
During the initial hearing on February 27, the court ordered the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar to measure the land in question. This measurement was to be conducted in the presence of government officials and representatives from La Martiniere College, with a report to be submitted to the court.
In the subsequent hearing on Monday, college authorities presented a letter from the LDA vice-chairman to the chief secretary, who also serves as the ex-officio senior trustee of the Lucknow Martiniere Charities. Dated February 27, the letter sought consent to construct nine pillars on the college's land.
When the court inquired about the status of the land measurement, the state lawyer admitted that no measurement process had been initiated. This admission of non-compliance prompted the court to summon the district magistrate to provide an explanation.
Potential Consequences
The court has made it clear that contempt proceedings may be initiated after hearing the administration's explanation. This development underscores the legal tensions surrounding land acquisition for infrastructure projects and the importance of following due process in such matters.
The case continues to draw attention as it involves a prominent educational institution and significant government development plans, raising questions about property rights and regulatory adherence in urban projects.
