Supreme Court of India rules against land allotment to elites, citing erosion of public trust

The Supreme Court of India ruled on November 25, 2024, that the Andhra Pradesh government's 2005 land allotment to judges, politicians, and other elites was unconstitutional. The court found this action disguised state benefits to privileged groups at the expense of marginalized populations. The court criticized the government for providing land at discounted rates, creating inequality and favoring the wealthy. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated that such preferential treatment undermines public trust in democratic institutions and reinforces social hierarchies. The Telangana government defended the allotment, claiming these individuals formed a distinct class. However, the court rejected this argument, emphasizing that classifications must be fair and not designed to benefit the influential at the cost of ordinary citizens.