SC declines PIL against NOIDA land scam

New Delhi, Dec 1: The Supreme Court today declined to entertain PIL seeking CBI inquiry into a land scam that allegedly caused a loss of about Rs 6000 crore to the state exchequer through the large scale allotment of land by NOIDA development authority at throwaway prices.

Petitioner Ashutosh Srivastava, appearing in person, contended before a Bench comprising Justice K G Balakrishnan and D K Jain that it was open loot of public funds as large chunk of land measuring several thousand acres has been allotted to the private parties for construction of three four and five star hotels in NOIDA at low prices.

The petitioner also contended that NOIDA development authority official in collusion with big players were indulging in unfettered loot of public funds by giving away large chunks of prime land, most of which is very close to the national highway.

The Court however, told the petitioner to approach Allahabad High Court. The petitioner however, contended that there was threat to his life in Uttar Pradesh as he had exposed a big land scandal and has also lost the complaint against the High Court Chief Justice and hence he did not expect justice from the High Court.

He also requested the court to direct the authorities to provide him security and that he was even prepared to go to the High Court also.

The Court refused to pass any such directions and told the petitioner either to withdraw his petition or it would be dismissed.

At this, the petitioner withdrew his petition and said that he will go to the High Court even at the cost of his life.

The Court permitted him to withdraw his petition and dismiss it as withdrawn.

The petitioner has also sought directions from the Court to cancel all the allotments made in NOIDA for the construction of big hotels as well as setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and fix the rate of the land at least at Rs one lakh per square meter.

UNI