In a landmark move, the Supreme Court has launched a deep dive into allegations of irregularities within the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been tasked with unearthing whether excess compensation was paid to certain landowners and whether NOIDA’s overall operations suffer from a lack of transparency and public accountability.
This investigation stems from a petition filed by a NOIDA legal officer seeking anticipatory bail in a corruption case tied to claims of disproportionate compensation payouts. The case has uncovered a pattern of what appears to be exorbitant payments, suggesting a potential web of collusion and quid pro quo arrangements.
Initially, the Court had constituted a Fact-Finding Committee to examine these concerns. However, dissatisfaction with the committee’s focus led to the establishment of the SIT, comprising senior IPS officers unaffiliated with the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
The SIT’s mission includes evaluating:
- Whether landowners received compensation exceeding their legal entitlement.
- The accountability of NOIDA officials involved in sanctioning inflated payments.
- Possible collusion between beneficiaries and NOIDA officers.
- Transparency and fairness in NOIDA’s broader operations.
The SIT, granted latitude to investigate allied concerns, has a two-month deadline to report its findings to the Court. Meanwhile, the legal officer’s bail application was noted, with interim protection maintained. The Court has also barred coercive measures against landowners or farmers without prior judicial approval.
This probe could serve as a pivotal moment in addressing systemic issues within NOIDA’s administrative framework while safeguarding public interest.
