Allahabad HC Stays Land Acquisition Proceedings for Schemes of UP's Housing Body in Ayodhya

Lucknow, April 23: The court directed all parties, including the state government and district authorities, to maintain the status quo at the sites in question. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Thursday.

Key Observations

A division bench comprising Justices Rajan Roy and Manjive Shukla observed prima facie that acquisition under the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad Act, 1965 appeared less beneficial compared to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Petitioners' Argument

The petitioners argued that:

• The 2013 Act offers significantly higher compensation and additional safeguards such as rehabilitation, resettlement, and social impact assessment

• Proceeding under the 1965 Act would deprive landowners and farmers of these enhanced benefits

• The acquisition would result in land being acquired at "throwaway prices"

Court's Order

The bench deemed it appropriate to stay the acquisition process initiated under notifications issued in 2020 and thereafter.

Next Hearing

The court directed that if the state or the housing body fails to advance arguments on the next date, they may file written submissions instead.