The Commission received a complaint on 20 November 1998 alleging that about 20,000 persons belonging to the weaker sections had been denied land rights in an area in which they had been living for more than 50 years. This area of land measuring 650 acres, near the Tadepalligudam Aerodrome in Andhra Pradesh, belonged to the Ministry of Defence. The occupants, having no ownership rights, were handicapped in getting loans etc. for the construction of houses. Basic amenities had also not been provided to them. This land was otherwise lying unused by the Central as well as the State Government.

In view of this, persons concerned had appealed to the Ministry of Defence and other authorities for the grant of rights of ownership of the area occupied by them. They were prepared to pay the price as stipulated by the Ministry of Defence. When their requests went unheard, they asked for the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission.

The Commission, taking cognizance of their petition, asked for reports from the Ministry of Defence as well as the State Government of Andhra Pradesh. The reports indicated that there were certain price-related disputes between the Ministry and the State Government. An agreement was ultimately reached, and approval has now been given by the Central Government for the transfer of the land to the State Government.

In view of this, the Commission has directed that the land thus acquired by the State of Andhra Pradesh be given to the occupants thereof after laying down the norms for the same. No occupants is to be deprived of his share in this land, as he has been living there since long. The price of the land is to be fixed by the State government in accordance with the value of the land, keeping in view the economic conditions of the occupants.