Tibetan government-in-exile gets court notice on land deals

SHIMLA - The Himachal Pradesh High Court Tuesday issued notice to the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, the Government of India and the state government regarding permission granted to Tibetan refugees for purchase of land in the state.

While issuing the notice, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice V.K. Ahuja made it clear that all the land transactions in the state would be subject to final outcome of the petition.

The court passed this order on a petition challenging the action of the state authorities to allow Tibetans to purchase land in the state. The petition said this was in violation of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, which barred outsiders from purchasing land in the state.

According to a petition filed by Pawan Kumar, the Tibetan refugees have purchased lands on the basis of false and forged documents.

The petitioner urged the court to set aside all such transactions, and direct the state government to instruct all district collectors not to transfer any land by any means in the names of the refugees.

The petitioner also stated that the Tibetans unfurl the flag of their government-in-exile in monasteries and other institutions, which was unconstitutional.

The court directed the respondents to file a reply within two months. The next hearing is March 21, 2011.