The Supreme Court of India has revoked a previous compensation order after uncovering a large-scale land fraud involving ₹295 crore paid to farmers for land acquired for the construction of a DLF mall in Noida’s Sector-18. The apex court directed the Noida Authority to recover the entire compensation amount, holding that deceit and justice cannot coexist.
The scam traces back to a claim by individuals posing as farmers whose land was allegedly acquired by the Noida Authority. The petitioners sought compensation at ₹1,10,000 per square metre, citing a 1997 land acquisition. Relying on falsified documents, they secured ₹295 crore in compensation based on a 2016 court order.
Supreme Court: Fraud and Justice Cannot Go Hand-in-Hand
The Supreme Court stated that any order obtained through such deceit automatically stands void once fraud is established. The bench emphasised that the judicial system cannot allow any benefit to persist if the foundation is tainted by deception.
As a result, the earlier compensation order has been nullified. The Noida Authority, now authorised to reclaim the full ₹295 crore, was also instructed to ensure corrective measures are taken.
Allegations of Official Lapses and Land Ownership Irregularities
According to the petitioners, the alleged land parcel belonged to them but was irregularly sold to DLF through intermediaries. However, the Court found evidence that the land in question had been purchased by a third party from its original owner, long before the farmers claimed ownership.
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The petitioners also blamed the Naib Tehsildar for not updating land records, which allegedly led to the confusion. However, the Court rejected these claims, noting that the land title history was clear and contradicted the petitioners’ assertions.
In a related update, the Noida Authority has already notified DLF Mall Management to return ₹235 crore that was distributed as part of the compensation. DLF has refused to return the amount, stating that it lawfully purchased the land. The Authority is preparing to take further legal steps.
The case underscores the importance of due diligence in land acquisition and the consequences of misleading the court through fraudulent documentation.