In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today set aside the 2006 Singur land acquisition by the then West Bengal government.
The land in Singur was acquired by the West Bengal government headed by Buddhadeb Bhattacharje in 2006 to facilitate setting up of Nano plant by Tatas.
The Supreme Court in its order directed the West Bengal government to take possession of the land and distribute it to the land owners within 12 weeks.
The apex court also ruled that the farmers will not return the compensation received from the government because they were deprived of their livelihood for the last ten years.
Responding to the verdict, Tata Motors said that the case in which the judgement was delivered today was related to the acquisition of land by State Government before it was leased to the company.
“Our case relating to Singur Act of 2011 is yet to be heard by SC, will study today’s judgement before commenting further,” the company was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Hailing the decision of Supreme Court on 2006 Singur land acquisition case, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she had dreamt of this verdict for a long time.
“I had dreamt of this SC verdict for so long, for the people of Singur. Now I can die in peace,” Mamata Banerjee said.
“I am remembering those people who made sacrifices fighting for this cause,” she added.
Mamata expressed happiness over the fact that the apex court delivered its verdict immediately after the state cabinet decided to rename the state.
“This is a landmark victory after we thought of the new name for State of WB. Very happy with the decision,” she said.
The Buddhadeb government had acquired 997 acres of land for Tata’s Nano project which was opposed by the displaced farmers, activists and the then opposition party Trinamool Congress.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee had even staged 26-day long hunger strike at Esplanade in protest against the Singur land acquisition.
The issue played a big role in 2011 Assembly elections which saw Trinamool Congress snatching power from CPI(M)-led Left Front which had ruled the state for more than three decades.
After taking over the reins of power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee government framed Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, which was challenged by the Tatas in Calcutta High Court.
Calcutta high court termed Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, as unconstitutional, and gave a verdict in favour of Tatas.
However, the West Bengal government filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in Supreme Court challenging Calcutta High Court order.
After hearing all these SLPs, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Gopala Gowda and Justice Arun Kumar Mishra had kept the judgment reserved after completing the hearing in May.
