SC dismisses PIL seeking cancellation of NOIDA deal

New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL, seeking cancellation of the biggest land deal in which the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) had sold 360 acres of land for Rs 1500 crore.

Petitioner R K Singh, an advocate, pleaded before the vacation bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice Altamas Kabir that there was massive bungling in the allotment of land.

According to Mr Singh, the land has been allotted to the lowest bidder and not the highest bidder. The highest bid for the land was Rs 2100 crore.

The petitioner also alleged that some officials of NOIDA in collusion with the bidder have caused heavy financial loss to the authority.

The court, however, questioned the locus standi of the petition since it was not an aggrieved party and was based on press reports alleging that the land had been allotted to well below its market value.

The court also asked Mr Singh why he had not approached the High Court instead of the SC directly.

UNI AKS/SC HS KN1617