Land Use Rules: Supreme Court Denies Relief to Suresh Productions
2 May 2025 1:14 PM IST2 May 2025 1:14 PM IST
The court directed the company to approach the concerned lower court regarding the matter.
Suresh Productions had challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Andhra Pradesh government, which questioned the production house’s attempt to repurpose land originally allocated for Ramanaidu Studios in Visakhapatnam.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to intervene in a petition filed by Suresh Productions, refusing to grant interim relief to the production house. The court directed the company to approach the concerned lower court regarding the matter. Suresh Productions had challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Andhra Pradesh government, which questioned the production house’s attempt to repurpose land originally allocated for Ramanaidu Studios in Visakhapatnam.
The Andhra Pradesh government issued the notice to M/s Suresh Productions Private Limited for seeking permission to develop a residential layout on 15.17 acres of the 34.44 acres allotted for establishing a film studio in Madhurawada village, Visakhapatnam. The land was originally granted in 2003 under GO 963 to promote the film industry and generate employment.
The state government, citing a violation of land alienation conditions, decided to cancel the allocation of the 15.17 acres, alleging the company breached the terms by applying for a residential layout in March 2023 without state approval. According to Board’s Standing Order 24, only the state government can modify the land’s purpose. The government referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in State of UP vs Zaheer Ahmad to assert its right to cancel allotments for misrepresentation or breaches.
The Visakhapatnam district collector was directed to issue a show-cause notice, allowing Suresh Productions reasonable time to present its case before a final decision. The remaining 19.27 acres will continue under the original terms, provided no further violations occur. The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority and GVMC were instructed to reject any applications from the company for changing land use.
The Supreme Court permitted Suresh Productions to withdraw its petition.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story