India, June 27 -- The Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order passed by the Gauhati High Court's Itanagar bench directing the Centre to make 50% payment of enhanced compensation of Rs.418 crore to 102 people whose lands were acquired for defence projects in an Arunachal Pradesh village bordering China.

According to the Centre, the enhanced compensation ordered by a trial court was based on "forged, fabricated" power of attorney documents for the land belonging to 102 villagers, produced by a single individual.

The top court allowed a stay on the March 12 HC order on the condition that the Centre shall deposit 10% of the amount with the high court within four weeks. "There shall be stay of operation of the impugned order on the condition...