Bombay High Court
TANAJI S/O TUKARAM MULE AND ANRversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR THE SECRETARY REVNUE AND FOREST AND ORS
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
Since a notification under Section 11(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has been issued, the petition is dismissed.
Summary
The petitioners alleged that land (Gat No. 49, 1.63 hectares) in Mouza Khandali was taken into possession by the Deputy Collector for construction of a percolation tank without any acquisition proceeding. They sought a directive for acquisition of the land and payment of compensation with interest from the date of possession. The respondents submitted an affidavit showing that a notification under Section 11(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 was issued on 2 February 2026, and that acquisition proceedings had been initiated. The court observed that the acquisition process had indeed been started, rendering the petition’s relief unnecessary. Issues concerning the quantum of compensation, the date from which it should be payable, and entitlement to interest were left open. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate legal remedy when land is taken into possession without a formal acquisition proceeding?
- Whether the issuance of a notification under Section 11(1) of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 suffices to bar the petition for acquisition and compensation?
- From what date should compensation be payable and is interest applicable?
Legislation cited
Subjects
- land acquisition
- percolation tank
- compensation
- interest
- Section 11(1)
- writ petition
- possession
Judgment
1/4 2-B.wp.9832.2025.odt
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 9832 OF 2025
Tanaji s/o Tukaram Mule & Anr. ... PETITIONERS
Versus
The State of Maharashtra & Ors. ... RESPONDENTS
Ms. Vaishali Deshmukh, Advocate i/by Mr. Ninad P. Patil, Advocate for
Petitioners.
Mr. Ashok Misal, Advocate for Respondent No.6.
Mr. A. P. Vanavase, AGP for Respondents/State.
Mr. Pravin Birajdar, Oicial Assistant, Deputy Collector Land
Acquisition No.7 (Mohol), Solapur present in Court.
CORAM : MADHAV J. JAMDAR AND
PRAVIN S. PATIL, JJ.
DATE : MARCH 04, 2026.
P.C. :
. Heard Ms. Vaishali Deshmukh, learned Counsel appearing
for the Petitioners, Mr. Ashok Misal, learned Counsel for Respondent
No.6 and Mr. Vanavase, learned AGP for Respondents/State.
2. In this Petition, grievance raised by the Petitioners is that
without acquisition of land bearing Gat No. 49 admeasuring 1.63 HR
2/4 2-B.wp.9832.2025.odt
situated at Mouza Khandali, Tahsil Mohol, District Solapur has been
taken into possession by the Respondent No.4 – Deputy
Collector/Special Land Acquisition Oicer, Land Acquisition No. 7,
Mohol, District Solapur for construction of percolation tank No.6 of
village Khandali, Tahsil Mohol, District Solapur.
3. Perusal of the record shows that the said percolation tank
has been constructed in diferent villages without acquisition of the
lands. Thus, it has been prayed that the directions be issued to the
Respondents to acquire the land and pay compensation with interest
from the date of taking possession of the land.
4. The Aidavit-in-reply in this Petition has been iled by the
Deputy Collector, Land Acquisition No.7, Mohol, District Solapur. The
Aidavit-in-reply states that the oice of Deputy Collector, Land
Acquisition Oicer No.7, Mohol, District Solapur has issued
Notiication under Section 11(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation
and Transparency In Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Settlement
Act, 2013 on 2/2/2026. The relevant part of Aidavit dated 2/3/2026,
more particularly, paragraph Nos.5 to 7, reads as under :
3/4 2-B.wp.9832.2025.odt
“5. I say that the record of this Oice shows that the
farmers of above said villages have iled representation
before Under Secretary, Planning Department (E.G.S.),
Mantralaya, Mumbai in respect of payment of compensation
amount. I say that in pursuance of representations of farmers,
before the Under Secretary, Planning Department (E.G.S.),
Mantralaya, Mumbai issued letter dated 29/1/2026 to the
Hon’ble Divisional Commissioner, Pune and Deputy Collector
Land Acquisition Oicer No.7 (Mohol), Solapur regarding
initiation of action under the provisions of Right to Fair
Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Hereto annexed
and marked as Exhibit-B is the copy of Letter issued by the
Under Secretary, Planning Department (E.G.S.), Mantralaya,
Mumbai dated 29/01/2026.
6. I say that the oice of Deputy Collector Land Acquisition
Co-ordination Branch Solapur issued letter on 30/01/2026 to
Deputy Collector Land Acquisition Oicer No.7 (Mohol),
Solapur in respect of initiation of steps/action under the
provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in
Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
upon the representation of the farmers. Hereto annexed and
marked as Exhibit-C is the copy of letter issued by Deputy
Collector Land Acquisition Co-ordination Branch Solapur dated
30/01/2026.
7. I say that in pursuance of letter dated 29/01/2026 and
dated 30/01/2026, the Oice of Deputy Collector Land
Acquisition Oicer No.7 (Mohol) Solapur issued a notiication
under Section 11(1) of Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act, 2013 on 02/02/2026 and the said
notiication has been forwarded for publication in the
Government Gazette on 02/02/2026. Hereto annexed and
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marked as Exhibit-D is the copy of Draft Notiication issued
under Section 11(1) by the oice of Deputy Collector Land
Acquisition Oicer No.7 (Mohol) Solapur.”
5. Thus, it is clear that the Respondents/Authorities have
started acquisition proceedings. In view of the same, the relief
sought in the present Petition has been worked out.
6. All contentions with respect to the quantum of the
compensation as also from the date, from which the compensation is
required to be paid, and whether the Petitioners are entitled for
interest, if any, are kept open.
7. Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly.
[PRAVIN S. PATIL, J.] [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.]
vijaya
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