High Court issues strict deadlines for compensation payment, warns of contempt proceedings for non-compliance.
In a significant judgment, the Bombay High Court has directed the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) and the State authorities to comply with the court's directives regarding the payment of compensation to landowners in a long-pending land acquisition case. The court, observing the obstinate behavior of CIDCO in avoiding compliance, has initiated contempt proceedings due to their failure to abide by its previous orders.
The case revolves around a land acquisition dispute where the petitioners, Ashok Gangadhar Puranik and others, sought enforcement of compensation payment as directed by a prior judgment dated November 26, 2024. Despite clear orders, the respondents, particularly CIDCO, failed to deposit the compensation amount, leading to further legal action by the petitioners.
The Division Bench comprising Justices Manish Pitale and Shreeram V. Shirsat expressed their discontent with CIDCO's conduct, highlighting an obstinate approach to evade the liability of compensation payments. The court has now mandated CIDCO to deposit the compensation amount within four weeks, treating this as an undertaking to the court. Following this, the State authorities are instructed to disburse the compensation to the petitioners within one week of receiving the funds.
Furthermore, the court has ordered an inquiry by the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to determine accountability for the lapses in compliance with the court's directives. An affidavit detailing the action taken must be filed within three weeks, with the matter listed for compliance monitoring on September 18, 2026.
The case has seen multiple legal challenges, including special leave petitions filed by CIDCO and other parties, all of which have been dismissed by the Supreme Court, further reinforcing the High Court's directives.
The judgment serves as a critical reminder of the judiciary's role in enforcing legal compliance and holding authorities accountable for delays and failures in executing court orders.
Bottom line:-
Contempt proceedings initiated for non-compliance of specific directions issued by a Division Bench of the High Court in a land acquisition matter; CIDCO and State authorities directed to comply with the order, including payment of compensation to landowners within stipulated time.
Statutory provision(s): Contempt of Courts Act, 1971; The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Ashok Gangadhar Puranik v. State of Maharashtra, (Bombay)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2960848
