The State Government had “dispossessed” Tata Motors Ltd (TML) from Singur on the evening of June 21, in a “haste”.

Also, the notice of “re-possession” sent to the General Manager of the auto major by the State Government was received on 28 June in Mumbai – seven days after it was issued, Tata Motors counsel, Mr Samaraditya Pal, said before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.

“The notice sent to the General Manager, Tata Motors, was received on June 28,” Mr Pal said while pointing out to the series of events from notification of the Act to vesting of Singur land between the evening of June 21 and wee hours of June 22.

Tata Motors had filed a writ petition before the Calcutta High Court on June 22 challenging the Constitutional validity of Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011.

Reiterating that Tatas had “not abandoned” the Singur project site, Mr Pal said that the auto major was committed to carrying out its corporate social responsibilities in the area.

Accordingly, the company had carried out projects that include the setting up of self help groups, developing employability of local youths and improvement of educational infrastructure for different areas. It had also set up health units that treated a number of people there.

“On the question of abandonment, have I (Tata Motors) taken back the knowledge and social work that have been carried out in these areas? That remains (with Singur),” Mr Pal said.

According to Mr Pal, the auto major was “constrained to move out” and had fought a PIL and spent money with a view to have the project implemented.

“This was the case from the very beginning in 2006 and remained so till 2008. There is a limit to patience and it has to cease at some point,” the senior counsel held.

The matter will come up for hearing at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

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