It seems the plight of farmers of Amaravati to be not ending even after winning the case before the High Court. A full Bench of High Court by a judgment dated 22nd of March 2022 had favoured farmers while castigating Government of Andhra Pradesh in stalling infrastructure and development projects in the Capital region.
Interestingly, few private parties and the State of Andhra Pradesh had approached the Supreme Court way back in the month of July and October respectively. Verified sources who are aware of the ongoing litigation before the Supreme Court have confirmed that when the matters were mentioned before previous Chief Justice [Justice N V Ramana], the Bench indicated that a Special Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath, three incoming future Chief Justices were constituted to hear the matter.
However, on October 18, 2022, without notice to the parties, the matter was placed before the Bench of the present Chief Justice of India Justice UU Lalit. On October 18, the case was adjourned without any hearing.
In a twist of circumstances, State of Andhra Pradesh suddenly circulated a letter for early listing on October 20.
It is surprising that a matter which remained in cold storage since March of this year was mentioned for urgent listing without any urgency. Even the High Court proceedings of contempt are stayed until the Supreme Court decides which clearly indicates no urgency.
Again, on November 1, 2022 this matter is posted before Justice UU Lalit. The matter essentially pertains to allegations against the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for his plan for shifting of capital.
Telugu Desam Party which is at the centre of the entire controversy has had earlier pointed out that shifting of capital was a smoke screen and the real intention behind such shifting was to ensure that properties held by YSRC Party members in Vishakhapatnam would quadruple if such move is sanctified.
Further, it is now to be seen whether Chief Justice would recuse himself from the case as he had already done in an earlier petition involving Jaganmohan Reddy as he was his lawyer in corruption cases against him.