Amicus curiae in Harpur case quits, 2nd in 80 days

Nagpur: In yet another twist to high-profile Harpur plots/NIT land case, Nikhil Padhye, who was appointed amicus curiae 80 days ago, on Friday urged the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court to relieve him of the responsibility.
With the high court accepting the discharge plea, Padhye has become second lawyer to leave the case in the last two-and-a-half months.

Justices AS Chandurkar and MW Chandwani said appointment of new amicus curiae will be done in the next hearing on May 4.
“In view of pursis filed by learned amicus curiae, he (Padhye) stands discharged. He is permitted to submit the entire record with the registrar (judicial),” the HC ordered.
Harpur plots/NIT land case is 19 years old. Social activist Anil Wadpalliwar had, on on June 2, 2004, filed a writ petition alleging large scale irregularities in allotment of public utility lands and also properties owned by the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). Initially, senior counsel Anand Parchure was appointed amicus curiae in the case.
The HC had appointed retired judge MN Gilani to inquire into all the allotments by NIT. In report submitted before the HC on September 3, 2018, Gilani committee had given various recommendations, including utilization of Harpur plots for housing for poor which was the main objective behind the land acquisition. Since then, the case was pending.
TOI had on November 14, 2022, reported chief minister Eknath Shinde, in the capacity of urban development minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, had directed the NIT to lease out 16 Harpur plots to 16 beneficiaries though the matter was pending in the HC.
Parchure had raised this issue following which the HC had ordered status quo. Following this, citing lack of knowledge about the matter being sub judice, Shinde had withdrawn his order, reverting the plots to the NIT.
Parchure, who handled the case as amicus curiae for nearly 19 years, had on February 8 this year requested the HC to relieve him of the responsibility. The HC had then appointed Padhye as amicus curiae.
TOI had reported about misleading information and also suppression of facts by the NIT in the affidavit filed in the HC in connection with the case.
Despite Shinde withdrawing his order passed as UDD minister four months ago, the NIT is yet to take possession of the plots.