NOIDA land scam: SC expands SIT probe to include CEOs from past 15 yrs

The Supreme Court expanded the SIT probe into the NOIDA land compensation scam to include CEOs from the past 10-15 years, granting a two-month extension. The court clarified farmers won't be penalised, as the focus is on official collusion.

SC Expands Probe, Grants SIT More Time

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by it to probe higher payment of compensation to farmers for their land allegedly in connivance and collusion of officials from NOIDA must also investigate the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and others for the past 10-15 years.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant and Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh granted the SIT two more months to complete the investigation.

The apex court said that farmers who have been given higher payments will not be penalised, and no coercive action will be taken against them. The bench said it had already clarified in its earlier orders that the probe is not to harass farmers but to investigate officials' connivance and collusion in making higher payments.

The top court also took on record the SIT's status report, in which three months have been sought to complete the investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for NOIDA, said he intended to file an affidavit to present the authority's view on the matter.

Background and Mandate of the SIT

The top court had, on August 13, constituted an SIT of the Uttar Pradesh Police to conduct a preliminary enquiry into alleged collusion between NOIDA officials and builders over inflated land acquisition compensation for farmers.

The apex court had also ordered a stay on project development in NOIDA until a prior Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the court's green bench approved the report.

It had directed that the DGP of Uttar Pradesh shall constitute an SIT comprising three IPS officers to investigate the issues identified by the previous SIT. The new SIT shall immediately register preliminary enquiries and proceed to inquire into the points highlighted by the previous SIT, forensic experts, and the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) of the state police, the bench had ordered.

If the SIT, after preliminary enquiry, finds that a prima facie cognisable offence was committed, it shall register the case and proceed further in accordance with law, said the apex court, also asking for a filing status report of the SIT.

Key Directives for State Government

A copy of the SIT report shall be placed before the UP Chief Secretary, who, in turn, shall present it to the Council of Ministers for an appropriate decision, as stated in the order.

It further stated that the Chief Secretary should also post the Chief Vigilance Officer in NOIDA, who should either be from the IPS cadre or on deputation from the CAG.

Initial Findings Point to Collusion

The bench was hearing a case in which it had ordered an SIT probe while dealing with the anticipatory bail plea of a NOIDA law officer, following allegations that higher compensation was awarded to some landowners, even though they were not entitled.

The SIT report has indicated that exorbitant compensation was paid to landowners in 20 cases and named erring officials of NOIDA. It also suggested examining the bank account details of officers, their family members, and landowners, as well as assets acquired by officers during the relevant period. (ANI)

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