Bombay High Court
BABU KOETYAversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
- Bench
- LOK ADALAT
Holding
The Lok Adalat upheld the settlement agreement, directing the State of Maharashtra to pay the agreed compensation within eighteen months, with interest for any delay.
Summary
The National Lok Adalat of the High Court of Bombay, Aurangabad bench, heard a large group of first appeals filed by various private claimants against the State of Maharashtra concerning compensation for fruit‑bearing trees acquired under a land acquisition project. The claimants sought enhancement of compensation, arguing that the statutory award did not account for the value of the trees. The parties, through their counsel, presented a settlement agreement that was signed by the claimants, the acquiring authority’s officer and the lawyers. The Lok Adalat, after confirming the identities of the claimants and the terms of the settlement, ordered the State to deposit the agreed compensation in the High Court and to disburse it to the claimants within eighteen months, with interest at 9% per annum if delayed. The award also provided for the payment of any amount already deposited. By accepting the settlement, the Lok Adalat disposed of all the listed appeals.
Issues considered
- Whether the claimants are entitled to enhanced compensation for fruit‑bearing trees under the land acquisition law
- Whether the settlement agreement reached between the claimants and the acquiring authority is binding and enforceable
Legislation cited
Subjects
- Lok Adalat
- settlement
- compensation
- fruit bearing trees
- land acquisition
- Legal Services Authorities Act
Judgment
2026:BHC-AUG:15113
1 not on board first appeals
BEFORE THE NATIONAL LOK ADALAT HELD AT HIGH
COURT OF BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD
Organized by High Court Legal Services Sub-Committee,
Aurangabad under Section 19 of the Legal Services Authorities Act,
1987 (Central) Act.
02 FIRST APPEAL NO. 538 OF 2009
Narayan Poshatty .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
03 FIRST APPEAL NO. 539 OF 2009
Pandurang Lalu Waghmare .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
04 FIRST APPEAL NO. 541 OF 2009
Satwa Lalu Waghmare .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
05 FIRST APPEAL NO. 543 OF 2009
Maroti Lalu Waghmare .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
07 FIRST APPEAL NO. 2147 OF 2009
Sudarshan Pundlik Maldode .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
WITH
2 not on board first appeals
07 FIRST APPEAL NO. 2148 OF 2009
Balaji Lalu Waghmare .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
WITH
07 FIRST APPEAL NO. 2149 OF 2009
Avadhut Pundalik Maldode .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
WITH
07 FIRST APPEAL NO. 2150 OF 2009
Rama Malhari Dangre .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
WITH
07 FIRST APPEAL NO. 2151 OF 2009
Narayan Piraji
Since deceased through his L.Rs.
Vitthal Narayan Yeilwad .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
09 FIRST APPEAL NO. 155 OF 2010
Naryan Gendaji Dangre .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
11 FIRST APPEAL NO. 157 OF 2010
Khandu Gendaji Dangre .. Appellant
Versus
3 not on board first appeals
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
12 FIRST APPEAL NO. 163 OF 2010
Dadarao Santuka Dangre .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
14 FIRST APPEAL NO. 1878 OF 2010
Ramji Laxman Govindwad
Since deceased through his L.Rs.
Ganesh Ramrao Renapurkar (Govindwad).. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
15 FIRST APPEAL NO. 1879 OF 2010
Ramji Laxman Govindwad
Since deceased through his L.Rs.
Ganesh Ramrao Renapurkar (Govindwad).. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
16 FIRST APPEAL NO. 1947 OF 2010
Baburao Maruti Patil
Since deceased through his L.Rs.
Vithabai Babarao Kawale and another .. Appellants
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
17 FIRST APPEAL NO. 1948 OF 2010
Vithabai Baburao Patil .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
4 not on board first appeals
AND
18 FIRST APPEAL NO. 1951 OF 2010
Janardhan Sambha Yerekar
Since deceased through his L.Rs.
Gangabai Janardhan Yerekar and others.. Appellants
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
19 FIRST APPEAL NO. 289 OF 2011
Babu Koetya .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
WITH
20 FIRST APPEAL NO. 290 OF 2011
Gangabai Timma Marwade .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
21 FIRST APPEAL NO. 355 OF 2011
Uttam Timma Marwade
Minor u/g Gangabai Timma Marwade .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
AND
24 FIRST APPEAL NO. 844 OF 2014
Bhaurao Mukunda Kawale .. Appellant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents
5 not on board first appeals
Present :-
Hon’ble Shri Justice Shailesh P. Brahme
Shri Kishor R. Choudhari (Retired District Judge)
Mrs. Yogita S. Thorat, Member
AWARD
. Learned advocate Mr. Rakesh Jain along with his clients –
original claimants, learned advocate Mr. Survase and Mrs. Reddy
with Officer Mr. Charudatta R. Bansod, Executive Engineer,
Vishnupuri Project Division No. 2, Nanded and Mr. Phule, learned A.
G. P. are present before the panel.
2. They tender on record terms of settlement in each matter duly
signed by the claimants, the officer of the acquiring body and their
respective lawyers. Those are taken on record and marked Exhibit -
X for identification. Parties are ready to settle the matters and
dispose of the appeals.
3. With the assistance of the learned counsel we have ascertained
the identification of the private claimants present today. They
confirm the terms of settlement.
4. First appeals are disposed of in terms of settlement at Exhibit –
X.
5. As agreed between the parties, the appellants – claimants have
given up their claim for enhancement of compensation for fruit
bearing trees. Both parties and the officers of the acquiring body
6 not on board first appeals
have agreed to pay compensation within a period of eighteen (18)
months from today. The respondent – acquiring body undertakes to
deposit the amount in High Court.
6. On deposit of the amount by the acquiring body, same shall be
disbursed to the appellants – claimants with accrued interest, if any,
as per their entitlement.
7. Amount already deposited by the respondent – acquiring body
shall be disbursed to the appellants – claimants as per their
entitlement.
8. If the amount is not deposited as per the agreement and the
minutes recorded today, same shall carry interest at the rate of 9%
per annum from the date of appeal till its disbursement.
9. Award be drawn up accordingly.
(Mrs. Yogita S. Thorat) (Shri Kishor R. Choudhari) (Shailesh P. Brahme)
Member Retired Judicial Officer Judge
Date :- 14.03.2026
bsb/March 26
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