Noida officials get notice on contempt plea

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday issued notice to DM of Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida) A V Rajmaili, ADM (land acquisition) Greater Noida Shishir Kumar and chairman of Greater Noida Rama Raman on a contempt petition filed by a farmer of Patwari village whose land was acquired in 2008.
Passing the above order on a contempt petition filed by Brahma Pal, Justice Pankaj Naqvi directed them to file counter affidavits (replies) or else charges may be framed after summoning them.The petitioner alleged that in spite of setting aside of land acquisition at Patwari village in Greater Noida, the builders in connivance with authorities concerned were continuing with construction of buildings at that place in sector 3 of Greater Noida.
The court directed to list this petition in the week commencing September 1, and made it clear that the opposite parties need not appear at this stage.
However, the court granted them one more opportunity to comply with orders within a month. In that eventuality, an affidavit of compliance may be filed, the court directed.
Petitioner's counsel Shiv Kant Mishra contended that 589 hectare of land of the petitioner and other farmers was acquired at Patwari village in 2008 at sector 3 of Greater Noida. Though the land was acquired in the name of industrialization, later the land use was changed and it was handed over to builders for constructing flats.
Later, the court set aside the notification on July 19, 2011 and directed the authorities concerned and builders to hand over possession of land to farmers. However, when this order was not complied with and builders stared constructions, the petitioner approached the authorities concerned. But when no action was taken by them, this contempt petition was filed.