SC orders status quo on Delhi govt’s Jamia move

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered status quo on the Delhi government's move to acquire 34 acres of land in Okhla for the expansion of Jamia Millia Islamia. Bhadra Sinha reports.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered status quo on the Delhi government's move to acquire 34 acres of land in Okhla for the expansion of Jamia Millia Islamia.

HT Image

A bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam also issued notice to Delhi government on UP government's petition assailing the acquisition proceedings. The Mayawati government has claimed before SC that Delhi cannot acquire the land worth R2,100 crore as it belonged to UP's irrigation department. UP's petition termed the initiation of acquisition proceedings as illegal.

Notices were also issued to the Centre, Lieutenant Governor and Delhi's acquisition officer. SC would now hear the matter after four weeks.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatagi and SC Misra contended UP owned the land since the British era. According to them it was with the irrigation department and a proposal was pending to construct the department's head office at the disputed site. They said despite UP's refusal to do away with the land, Delhi had gone ahead with the acquisition proceedings, claiming it belonged to Centre. Rohatagi and Misra pointed out that a state cannot acquire land belonging to another state.

The bench ordered status quo after Misra claimed Delhi government was keen to take possession of the land at the earliest. According to UP, Delhi government was going to complete formalities to acquire land by November 21. The petition has also sought setting aside of the acquisition.