Srinagar, May 9 -- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh at on Friday upheld orders directing recovery of over Rs 2.61 crore from a landowner in an Anantnag land acquisition dispute, holding that no person can be allowed to retain public money beyond lawful entitlement, and that courts possess inherent powers under law to rectify excess payments even after an award has attained finality.

Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal dismissed a petition filed by Ali Mohammad Dar of Sangam, Anantnag, challenging orders passed by the Principal District Judge, Anantnag. The judge had directed recovery of Rs.2,61,34,972 along with six percent interest after finding duplication in compensation disbursement related to acquisition of land for the Srinagar-Jammu Nation...