Singur prohibitory order misuse of power; HC

Kolkata, Feb 14 (UNI) The Calcutta High Court today struck down the prohibitory order under section 144 Cr P C in Singur, imposed by the authourities in early February fearing large scale violence.

The district administration promulgated the prohibitory order in Singur, about 40 kms west of Kolkata on February 4 after political parties threathened to launch strong agitation to protest acquisition of agricultural land by the government.

The state government acquired nearly 1000 acres of agricultural land in the village beside a National Highway for the Tata Motor's small car project, triggering wide spread protest from different quaters.

Justice Dipankar Dutta passed the ruling on a public interest litigation filed by the Committee for protection of agricultural lands.

Justice Dutta setting aside the prohibitory order, observed that the way it was imposed did not confirm to the law and it was a case bad in law and misuse of power.

UNI