The Tata Motors Limited (TML) had a right to the Singur plot as long as it intended to set up an automobile plant on it, advocate general Anindya Mitra submitted before the Division Bench of Mr Justice Pinaki Ghosh and Mr Justice Mrinalkanti Choudhuri of Calcutta High Court today. But when this purpose was frustrated, the state decided to acquire the land for public purpose, which is the dominant object of the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act.