IMPORTANT POINT
The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement for clear evidence and examination of facts in a summary proceeding under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, emphasizing the need for a proper forum for redressal of grievances.

JUDGMENT

[1] Heard Shri I. Lalitkumar, learned Sr. Advocate appearing for the petitioners; Shri Lenin Hijam, learned Addl. AG appearing for the State respondents; Shri A. Mohendro, learned Advocate appearing for the applicants and Shri Moses Pao, learned Advocate appearing for the Union of India.

[2] The subject matter in issue relates to the validity and correctness of the letter dated 27-04-2019 issued by the Director (Trade, Commerce & Industries), Government of Manipur; the letter dated 01-06-2019 issued by the Under Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Government of Manipur; the sale deed dated 17-07-2019 and the authorized letter dated 20-07-2019 issued by the Director, Youth Affairs & Sports, Manipur.

[3.1] According to the petitioners, they are the owners/ pattadars of the land/ paddy land situated at 44-Yaithibi Loukol, Langthaban Khounou, Khnogjom, Thoubal District, Manipur. They being the cultivators/ farmers, their livelihood depends upon the products from the said land.

[3.2] In and around the year, 2014, the Central Government and the State Government launched a scheme for the establishment of a National Sports University in Manipur taking into account the talents being exhibited by the sportspersons from Manipur in the national and international tournaments/ championships. The land situated at 44- Yaithibi Loukol was selected as the site for its establishment. The different forms of agitations/ protests were taken by the villagers and the petitioners raising objections against the proposed acquisition of their land. Several meetings were held amongst the officials of the State Government; the villagers and the petitioners wherein the likely benefits of the National Sports University were explained and the promises for providing employment and other facilities were also made by the State Government.

[3.3] In order to acquire the land situated at 44-Yaithibi Loukol, the Commissioner, Youth Affairs & Sports wrote a letter dated 26-08-2014 to the Secretary (Revenue), Government of Manipur requesting him to initiate the process for acquisition of the land. It was also stated therein that the land was needed to be transferred to the Central Government at the earliest so that the construction work could be commenced in few months. In order to strengthen their agitations, the villagers and the petitioners formed an association called 44-Yaithibi Loukol Land Owner’s Association which submitted a representation dated 05-09-2014 not to construct the National Sports University. Shri S.T. Vaiphei, Advocate appears to have submitted a representation/ legal notice dated 12-11- 2014 as is evident from the letter dated 13-11-2014 of the Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal. Instead of following the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency of Land Acquisition Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act, 2013”), the respondents made the promises for employment and other facilities in the name of acquiring their land.

[3.4] To review the position of acquisition of land, a meeting of the officials of the State Government and the Central Government was convened vide Office Memorandum dated 17-11-2014 by the Central Government. In the meantime, a State Cabinet Meeting was held on 14- 11-2014 wherein the acquisition of 442.27 acres of land was approved, out of which 247.68 acres were earmarked for the establishment of the National Sports University and the rest was to be reserved for future expansion of educational facilities. The State Cabinet in its meeting held on 18-11-2014 decided and approved a proposal to constitute a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal with the officers of the concerned Departments to negotiate the price for the purchase of the land from the willing pattadars. After the State Cabinet’s decision being taken, the Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal vide its letter dated 24-11-2014 informed Shri S.T Vaiphei, Advocate that the issues raised by him were irrelevant as bein