Land Cannot Be Allotted To PAPs Before Lawful Acquisition, Compensation To Original Owner: Bombay HC

Bombay High Court declared acquisition of 1.61 hectares in Sikrapur village, Shirur taluka, lapsed under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

The court held the government cannot allot land to project-affected persons before lawful acquisition and compensation to the original owner, Namdev Khedkar.

State failed to prove possession was taken or compensation was paid for the land; no panchanama or possession receipt was produced.

Allotment orders from 2019, 2020, and 2022 in favor of Laxman Wadekar's family were quashed as legally unsustainable.

The court directed the State to provide alternative land to the Wadekar family within eight weeks, excluding the disputed land.