Bombay High Court
THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA (THROUGH THE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER) AND ANR.versusSHRI. SHANKAR KASHIRAM KANOJE
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The first appeal is withdrawn as the compensation enhancement is within four times the original award, in accordance with the Government Resolutions.
Summary
The State of Maharashtra, through its Special Land Acquisition Officer, awarded compensation to Shankar Kashiram Kanoje for land acquisition. The Reference Court later enhanced the compensation, but the enhanced amount did not exceed four times the original award. The State relied on three Government Resolutions (dated 3 November 2016, 11 May 2018, and 13 August 2018) that prescribe withdrawal of any first appeal where the enhancement is within this four‑fold limit. The Additional Government Pleader argued that the present appeal fell within the scope of the policy decision. The Court examined the compensation figures and found the enhancement indeed within the prescribed limit. Consequently, the Court permitted the withdrawal of the first appeal and ordered the refund of any court fee paid.
Issues considered
- Whether the first appeal filed by the State must be withdrawn under the Government Resolutions when the compensation enhancement does not exceed four times the original award
Subjects
- Land Acquisition
- Compensation
- Government Resolution
- Appeal Withdrawal
- Reference Court
Judgment
65-FA-975-19.doc
Sayali
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
Digitally
signed by
SAYALI
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
SAYALI DEEPAK
DEEPAK UPASANI
UPASANI Date:
2026.08.18 FIRST APPEAL NO. 975 OF 2019
18:27:40
+0530
The State of Maharashtra Thr. Special
Land Acquisition Officer and Others … Appellants
V/s.
Shankar Kashiram Kanoje … Respondents
Mr. A.R. Patil, Additional G.P. for the appellants.
CORAM : AMIT BORKAR, J.
DATED : AUGUST 18, 2026
P.C.:
1. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the
State has placed reliance upon the Government Resolutions dated
3 November 2016, 11 May 2018 and 13 August 2018. Under the
said Government Resolutions, the State Government has taken a
policy decision that where the compensation enhanced by the
Reference Court does not exceed four times the amount awarded
by the Special Land Acquisition Officer, the first appeal filed by the
State is liable to be withdrawn. The learned Additional
Government Pleader submits that the present appeal falls within
the scope of the said policy decision.
2. Upon perusal of the record and, in particular, the amount of
compensation awarded by the Special Land Acquisition Officer and
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65-FA-975-19.doc
the enhanced amount granted by the Reference Court, it appears
that the enhancement in the present case is within four times the
amount originally awarded by the Special Land Acquisition Officer.
The case, therefore, falls within the parameters prescribed under
the aforesaid Government Resolutions.
3. In view of the aforesaid position and the policy decision of
the State Government contained in the Government Resolutions
referred to hereinabove, the first appeal is permitted to be
withdrawn and is accordingly disposed of as withdrawn.
4. The Court fee, if any, paid on the appeal shall be refunded to
the appellant in accordance with the applicable Rules.
5. In view of the disposal of the first appeal, all pending
interlocutory applications, if any, do not survive and are
accordingly disposed of.
(AMIT BORKAR, J.)
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