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Citing principle of fairness, SC awards farmers more compensation than they sought

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9 years ago

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Citing principle of fairness, SC awards farmers more compensation than they sought

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a path-breaking judgment, SC hikes compensation sum from Rs 115 per square yard to Rs 297 per square yard

~By Sujit Bhar

In an extraordinary judgment, the Supreme Court on September 11 directed that some villagers in Uttar Pradesh, whose land had been acquired by the state at the rate of Rs 115 per square yard, actually deserved to be paid Rs 297 per square yard, even if the farmers had not demanded compensation at that rate.

In delivering this judgment – in the matter of Narendra & Ors. v State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors – the court made an  observation which should go down in history as a precedent as judgments come. The court observed that “the mere fact that the compensation which was claimed by some of the villagers was at lesser rate than the compensation which is ultimately determined to be fair compensation, should not be a ground to deny such persons appropriate and fair compensation on the ground that they claimed compensation at a lesser rate”.

The Allahabad High Court had granted compensation to the villagers – those whose land had been acquired by the state – at the rate of Rs 115 per square yard. However, the Supreme Court set aside this judgment and set the higher compensation limit, saying that the difference in compensation, along with other statutory benefits, was directed to be paid to them within a period of three months.

Why is this verdict special? That is because a fair consideration of a demand does not just look at the demand, but also to peripheral situations that exist, often beyond the field of view of the petitioner.

Justice is not a one-dimensional, monochromatic word. It encapsulates a philosophy that Plato gave birth to while considering the genesis of justice. Being fair is one way to describe it, but Plato, in using the Greek word “dikaisyne”, pushed it more towards “morality” or “righteousness”. While these, in ancient times, were the right duties of a man, they also take into consideration societal aspects of fairness and morality. If in one tradition honour killing is righteous and moral, it isn’t in another. That is a paradox that needs to be dealt with.

What Plato wanted to do was show that justice is the quality of soul, a lack of selfishness and a general belief that it was done for the general good. It would have had been difficult in a society where death for honour was a purely divine experience.

Over and above, societal expectations on compensation vary. How would a square yard of a person’s personal farmland, handed down through generations, and his or her only source of sustenance, be compensated? At stake is not only his income, but his/her very identity.

Those are philosophical considerations and the debate can be endless. In more prosaic terms, however, compensation is indemnification, payment of damages, making amends, that which is necessary to restore an injured party to his former position. Those are the legal peripherals, as per Black’s Law Dictionary. And in judging each and every aspect of that comes the question of morality. And that is where the Supreme Court judgement has scored high on principles. That is what makes this judgment extraordinary.

While it is common practice to assume that a demand has to be judged within the ambit of normal standards, it is also inferred that the demand can be considered as the upper limit in resolution of the debate. In this case, the top court went beyond that and assumed that the demands were probably not made with full knowledge of the market.  The apex court felt morally liable to adjudicate on moral guidelines.

The Indian Supreme Court deserves a big thank you for that.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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INDIA Bloc protest intensifies, Opposition MPs plan Rajghat march

The INDIA bloc has planned another round of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

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19 hours ago

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October 8, 2026

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The INDIA bloc is set to intensify its protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

The fresh mobilisation comes a day after several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, were detained during protests against the Election Commission. The leaders were later released.

The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations linked to electoral rolls and what it has described as “vote chori”.

Opposition leaders discuss next course of action

INDIA bloc MPs met at a cafe in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the next steps in their protest. Following the meeting, the leaders were expected to proceed towards Rajghat.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted an INDIA bloc luncheon meeting on Wednesday, after which buses were arranged to transport MPs. Several Opposition leaders later staged a sit-in and raised slogans demanding the resignation of the poll body chief.

Mamata Banerjee among leaders expected to join

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is likely to be part of the Opposition’s 10-member delegation that will meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.

The INDIA bloc has also sought an appointment with the President. Ten Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have been given an appointment to meet the President on Friday.

The INDIA bloc had sought a meeting with a 15-member delegation, but Rashtrapati Bhavan agreed to a 10-member delegation.

Case against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi

The Delhi Police has registered a case against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other leaders and workers over alleged misconduct during the protests.

Police sources said the FIR alleges assaulting police personnel and obstructing government work during Wednesday’s protest.

The INDIA bloc’s agitation follows an earlier march towards the Election Commission headquarters, during which Opposition MPs demanded action over their concerns regarding electoral rolls and alleged irregularities.

Election Commission protest continues

The Opposition has announced further protests as it seeks to keep the issue in focus.

Congress has described October 8 as a “Black Day” nationwide, while Opposition MPs are continuing their campaign against the Election Commission.

The latest protest comes amid heightened security at CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Delhi residence and around the Election Commission headquarters.

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Delhi Building Collapse: Many trapped as 5-storey structure comes down

A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams have reached the spot.

Published

2 days ago

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October 7, 2026

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A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared to be trapped under the debris.

The incident took place in northeast Delhi, where emergency teams were rushed to the site after the collapse was reported.

Rescue operation underway

A search and rescue operation has been launched at the site as authorities work to determine whether people are trapped beneath the debris.

The Delhi Fire Service received information about the collapse at around 3:30 pm and sent fire tenders to the location. An official said some people might be trapped in the debris.

The incident has prompted an emergency response in the area, with rescue personnel working to locate anyone who may be trapped.

Collapse comes a month after Satya Niketan tragedy

The Seemapuri incident comes about a month after a building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, where people were trapped after a multi-storey structure came down.

Further details about the Seemapuri collapse, including the number of people trapped and any casualties, are awaited as the rescue operation continues.

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Bhagwant Mann hits back at BJP over CBI search in Sangrur

Bhagwant Mann hit out at the BJP over a CBI search in Sangrur, alleging political targeting and claiming the agency returned empty-handed after a nearly six-hour search.

Published

2 days ago

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October 7, 2026

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP over a CBI search at the residence of his officer on special duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Sangrur, alleging that central agencies are being used against political opponents ahead of elections.

Mann said the CBI action was an indication that elections were approaching and accused the BJP of using agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate against Opposition leaders or their associates.

“The CBI raid shows that elections have arrived,” Mann said.

The Punjab Chief Minister cited cases involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders close to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while alleging that central agencies have been used ahead of elections. He also said Aam Aadmi Party leaders faced similar action before the Delhi Assembly elections.

Mann says CBI returned empty-handed

According to Mann, the CBI search at Gharachon village in Sangrur lasted nearly six hours.

The Chief Minister claimed that the agency “did not find anything” during the search and returned empty-handed. He alleged that the action was part of a BJP conspiracy to defame him and his government.

Mann also linked the CBI action to the BJP’s anti-drug campaign in Punjab and questioned the political impact of the campaign.

He alleged that the CBI action was politically motivated and intended to create a narrative against the AAP government ahead of upcoming elections.

CBI search at Mann aide’s house

Earlier, a CBI team searched the house of Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Gharachon village in Sangrur.

The search triggered a political confrontation involving the ruling AAP and Opposition parties. Representatives of Waris Punjab De and Akali Dal Punar Surjeet gathered in the village and welcomed the CBI team.

After the CBI vehicles left the area, people were seen beating dhols, performing bhangra and showering flower petals on the vehicles carrying the agency officials.

Sources cited in the report said the CBI was investigating allegations involving people accused of causing significant losses to Punjab and looting public money.

BJP hits back at Bhagwant Mann

BJP leader Tarun Chugh criticised the response to the CBI search, calling it an “extraordinary display of shamelessness”.

Taking a swipe at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Chugh said the time for political drama was over and that those responsible would have to answer for money allegedly stolen from the people of Punjab.

“Stop the drama. Let the investigation proceed and let the facts speak,” he said.

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