SC sets aside HC order in Prakash Jha land case

New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) In a major relief to film producer Prakash Jha, the Supreme Court today set aside the Patna High Court judgement cancelling the allotment of land made by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar to Jha.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P Sadhasivam allowed the petition filed by Holy Cow Pictures Pvt Ltd, a firm owned by Prakash Jha, challenging the High Court order.

The apex court remanded the matter back to the High Court and directing it to consider the petition afresh and decide the case within four months.

The order of cancellation of land allotment was passed by the High Court on a PIL filed by Prem Chandra Mishra and others on the ground that the land had been allotted at a throw-away price in violation of the rules.

The Nitish Kumar government had allotted the land to Jha for constructing six multiplexes.

The apex court directed the High Court to consider the matter afresh and decide whether the land has been allotted illegally.

The petitioner had contended before the apex court that the PIL filed in the High Court was politically motivated and land had been alloted in accordance with the law for public purpose.

The petioner also denied the allegation that the land had been alloted at a throw-away price.

UNI