The disputed piece of land adjoining the ‘Sujan Rajmahal Place hotel’ which had initiated a bitter war between JDA and the erstwhile Royal family belongs to the JDA, said the Rajasthan High Court.
A part of the land was claimed by the SMS Investment Corporation, while another portion was demanded by BJP MLA Diya Kumari, a member of the Royal family. The two claimants have challenged the High Court’s order.
JDA sealed the hotel’s gates and consequentially took posession of the land. What would have been indecorous in eyes of most civilians, the JDA’s move was ratified and support from High Court Justice MN Bhandari, the single bench of justice who has passed this order. The JDA also deconstructed a portion of the premises on August 25 last year.
The court negated the applicability of section 24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2014 in this case.
The court informed that the land was acquired under the UIT Act, 1959. The court then cited the implications of Section 24(2) of the UIT Act which states that the acquisition lapses if compensation or other forms of payment is not made within two years of acquisition.
SMS Investment Corporation plea stated that about 19,098 sqm yard of land belonged to them and not JDA. The corporation also claimed that the land was acquired under the UIT Act and that the process of the ACT was completed.
The erstwhile Royal family head, late Brigadier Bhawani Singh had leased out the disputed land for 99 years to SMS Investement corporation, an orgnisation which was directed by his younger brother Jai Singh.
