In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed whether a change in Lucknow's Master Plan converting green belt land to residential use was legally valid and whether associated land acquisition was lawful. The Court held the master plan conversion was unconstitutional, violating Articles 21, 48A, and 51A(g) regarding environmental protection. Green spaces are public trusts that cannot be converted for commercial use. However, because the land was subsequently developed and maintained as Janeshwar Mishra Park (serving the public purpose), the Court upheld the acquisition but quashed the offending master plan change. The State was ordered to maintain the park as green space permanently and pay costs to the appellants.
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