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SC dismisses writ in Haryana land case

Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Sept. 18

THE Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking cancellation of allotment in 1998 of about 20-acre of land in the Gurgaon industrial estate to Orbit Resorts (Pvt) Ltd. by the then Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Devi Lal, under alleged political infl uence of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Prakash Singh Badal.

The petition filed in public interest was dismissed by a division bench comprising Mr Justice B.N. Kirpal and Ms Justice Ruma Pal.

In its brief order the court said: "It appears to be a family dispute because the petitioner No.2, Pratap Singh, is the son of Mr Devi Lal. Fight your political battle elsewhere. Do not use this court for this purpose".

The petition had been filed by two former Haryana Legislators-- Mr Karan Singh Dalal and Mr Pratap Singh, alleging that in order to help Mr.Surinder Singh, son of his political friend Mr Prakash Singh Badal, Mr Devi Lal allotted the land to Orbit Resorts . Mr Surinder Singh is the Managing Director of the company.

It was alleged that the land, which was acquired from farmers was allotted to the company at a throwaway price and demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the whole affair.