Man shows up alive, SC quashes land buy

The SC has quashed Haryana government's decision to acquire land of a farmer who despite being alive was shown as dead in forged records.

The SC has quashed Haryana government's decision to acquire land of a farmer who despite being alive was shown as dead in forged records.

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A bench headed by justice GS Singhvi also said government should use its own land for public purpose and acquire private land only if it "becomes absolutely necessary."

Referring to a report by the National Commission on Farmers, the bench said acquisition of agricultural land in the name of planned development or industrial growth would seriously affect the availability of food in future.

Deprecating the failure of administration to make enough investment in rural areas, the bench added acquisitions would not only ruin the current generation, but, would also deprive the future of their assets. This, it added, is the primary reason behind a spurt in farmers' suicide.

The SC also noted if acquisition of private land was necessary, it should be done only after strictly complying with statutory provisions and observing rules of natural justice.

With regard to the case before it, the bench observed: "It is impossible to believe that a woman who knows how to sign a document would put signatures against her name showing her as a widow despite the fact that her husband is alive."

The apex court's ruling came on an appeal filed by Raghbir Singh Sehrawat challenging the acquisition of his land by the state government in Sonepat for industrial development in June 2006.

Sehrawat alleged the acquisitions were done in an arbitrary pick-and-choose manner and even the signature of his wife Moorti Devi was forged to create a record showing her as his widow.