SC expunges HC remarks against Shinde

New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court has ordered the expunction of certain remarks made by the Bombay High Court against the Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for some notings on the files of some group housing societies for allotment of land in Navi Mumbai during his tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

A bench comprising Justices A R Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir in judgment dated January 4 said, ''We hold that the observations/strictures and remarks made by the High Court against the appellant behind his back are totally uncalled for and not warranted. We therefore, have no hesitation to order expunction of the remarks made in paras 38,139,140 and 141 of the impugned judgment, The civil appeal is allowed only to the above extent. We order no cost.'' The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is an authority constituted under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act for development of Navi Mumbai as a township.CIDCO grants plots in Navi Mumbai for construction and development.

Five different applications were made by the Group housing societies for allotment of land and the then chief minister Shinde put up notes "Please put up." Sixth application was also made and all the six societies were allotted prime land in Navi Mumbai in the area known as "Marine Drive." The applications were made in the name of the Chief Minister and not in the name of CIDCO.

The apex court also ordered expunction of remarks against Vinay Mohan Lal, senior officer of CIDCO.

Applicants according to the High Court were slum dwellers and would not have made application for allotment of prime land without the backing of the traders and supported by a builder and without the blessings of the Chief Minister.

The apex court held that High Court was not right in passing comments/observations/ strictures against the appellant when he was not a party to the said proceedings.

UNI