NCLT reverses decision, Tata Steel Jamshedpur denied INCAB land 

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, April 19: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has modified its previous order dated 07.02.2020 in the INCAB case, asserting that the land dispute falls under public law and is thus beyond its jurisdiction to adjudicate upon. NCLT clarified that it cannot issue any order regarding the land matter, emphasizing that if Tata leased 177 acres of land from INCAB and seeks its vacation, it should approach the civil court of Jamshedpur for resolution.

NCLT emphasized that if Tata lacks a court order from Jamshedpur, indicating its rightful claim over the land, INCAB is not obligated to return the disputed 177 acres. The tribunal’s decision undermines Tata’s attempts to secure a renewal of the alleged sublease through fraudulent means, as per an application filed by RP Pankaj Tibrewal, allegedly in collusion with Tata.

It is revealed that both Tata and INCAB obtained the land as government grants in 1919 and 1920 respectively. Tata’s attempt to characterize INCAB’s land as a sublease was deemed fraudulent by NCLT. Initially, NCLT’s 07.02.2020 order declared INCAB’s land as Tata’s sublease, leading to INCAB’s liquidation. However, advocacy efforts by Jamshedpur workers resulted in the cancellation of NCLT’s order by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).

Subsequently, two appeals were lodged in the Supreme Court against NCLAT’s decision, but the court dismissed both appeals after hearing the workers’ counsel. This development marks a significant setback for Tata’s land claim and underscores the importance of legal advocacy in protecting workers’ rights and challenging corporate malfeasance. (w/nkm)