Allahabad High Court Fixes March 30 for Next Hearing in Noida Land Compensation Dispute
The Allahabad High Court has officially set March 30 as the date for the next hearing in the high-stakes Rs 295-crore land compensation dispute involving businessman Reddy Veeranna. In a significant procedural move, the court has directed the Noida Authority to submit its counter-affidavit by this deadline, emphasizing the urgency of the matter as a Supreme Court-expedited case.
Court Order Details and Affidavit Status
In its order dated February 25, a bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra noted that the Uttar Pradesh government had already filed its affidavit on February 3. The bench recorded that all other respondents, with the exception of the Noida Authority, have also submitted their counter-affidavits. The court explicitly stated that rejoinder affidavits, if any, must be filed before the upcoming hearing and reiterated the directive for the Noida Authority to comply with the filing requirement. The bench firmly declared, "No further time shall be granted in the matter," underscoring the strict timeline imposed due to the case's expedited status.
Background and Timeline of the Land Dispute
The case revolves around a disputed plot of over 5 bighas of land located in Chhalera Banger village, Sector 18, Noida. This land was jointly purchased in 1997 by Reddy Veeranna, Vishnu Vardhan, and T Sudhakar for approximately Rs 1 crore. In 2005, the Noida Authority partially acquired the land and later leased it to DLF for Rs 173 crore to develop the Mall of India project.
In 2019, Veeranna initiated legal proceedings in the high court, seeking enhanced compensation without including the co-owners as parties. By October 2021, the high court had fixed the compensation at Rs 1.1 lakh per square metre. This decision was upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2022, which also removed a 50% development charge, raising the total entitlement to around Rs 360 crore. This amount was later settled at Rs 295 crore.
Supreme Court Intervention and Fraud Allegations
The case took a dramatic turn in 2023 when co-owner Vishnu Vardhan approached the Supreme Court, accusing Veeranna of suppressing facts and relying on an invalid compromise decree. The apex court accepted this plea, ruling that fraud had vitiated the judicial process. Consequently, in July 2025, the Supreme Court set aside the previously awarded compensation and remanded the matter back to the Allahabad High Court for fresh adjudication on ownership and compensation, ensuring all parties are heard.
Following this, the high court resumed hearings in October last year. Veeranna has retained the compensation amount after providing property securities worth Rs 295 crore through his firm, Manyata-Pristine. According to an interim order from the Supreme Court issued in January 2025, these securities will remain subject to the outcome of the high court's final verdict.
Implications and Next Steps
This case highlights critical issues in land acquisition and compensation processes in urban development zones like Noida. The involvement of multiple judicial levels, from the high court to the Supreme Court, underscores the complexity and high stakes of real estate disputes in India. The upcoming hearing on March 30 is poised to be a pivotal moment, as the Noida Authority's response could significantly influence the final resolution regarding ownership rights and financial settlements.
As the proceedings advance, stakeholders, including real estate developers, legal experts, and affected parties, will be closely monitoring the developments. The outcome may set precedents for similar land compensation cases across the country, emphasizing the importance of transparency and adherence to legal protocols in property disputes.
