HC restrains Army from taking over private land

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed the Army not to attempt to encroach upon a plot of land owned by a man here.
    
"It shall be ensured that the land of the petitioner (Rajesh Sharma) which is measuring one bigha is not encroached upon in any manner..." Justice Gita Mittal said.
     
Sharma, a resident of Nariana in south-west Delhi, had submitted that around three 'bighas', out of total four bighas, of his land were acquired by the land acquisition department in 1975.
    
The acquired land was later allocated to the estate department of the Army, he said, alleging several attempts have been made since then to acquire his remaining one bigha of land forcing him to seek remedial measures from the court.
    
Taking note of the situation, the court asked the SDM concerned to personally verify that only three bighas of land are in Army's possession.
    
It also restrained the Army's estate department from constructing anything on Sharma's remaining plot.
    
"The respondents (Centre and the Estate Department of Army) have no rights, whatsoever, to raise constructions over the land of the petitioner. Such land has not been acquired in accordance with law," it said.