ED seeks CLU details during Manesar acquisition

Sushil Manav

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 21

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought details of CLUs (change of land use) granted by Haryana Town and Country Planning Department during land acquisition proceedings in the Manesar land case adding that the entities involved have been conclusively found to have indulged in criminal activities and “proceeds of crime” stand generated.

In its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on Friday, the ED has also prayed that details regarding 268 acres, 2 kanal 15.5 marlas of land with the names of owner having possession and the present status be made available from the state government, the Haryana State Infrastructural and Industrial Development Corporation (HSIIDC) be directed not to grant any refund to any entity without NOC from ED, clarification regarding issuance of land acquisition orders and also issuance of CLUs and rejection licences be supplied.

The ED has filed its affidavit in response to the affidavit furnished in the court by the HSIIDC earlier this month. During a hearing held on November 17, the ED was told to file its reply by November 23.

The apex court is hearing the prayer seeking clarification whether its March 12, 2018 judgment in the Manesar land case would also cover land parcels purchased prior to the date of Section 4 notification of Land Acquisition Act on August 27, 2004, but transferred by the landholders during the August 27, 2004 to January 29, 2010 period by way of collaboration agreements in favour of other parties and whether they will form part of the deemed award ordered by the top court in its verdict.

The SC had restrained creation of fresh third-party rights on 268 acres which was once sought to be acquired for creating an industrial township in Manesar by the HSIIDC but was dropped out of the total 688 acres from the acquisition by the Congress government on August 26, 2007.

The ED affidavit submitted by Anup Singh Rauthan, Deputy Director (Legal), said that the SC judgment issued on March 12, 2018 had directed that the award deemed to have been passed on August 26, 2007 with respect to land covered under declaration under Section 6 (688 acres) and also for the land which was transferred by landholders during period from August 27, 2004 to January 29, 2010.