Aurangabad Court: Vaijapur Landowners Win Higher Compensation and Re-evaluation

Summary: A recent court decision in Aurangabad dealt with a series of land acquisition disagreements in Vaijapur, focusing on whether landowners should get more money for their taken lands, including extra things like irrigation and buildings.

Background of the Case

In a series of appeals, landowners from Vaijapur, led by Bhagirabai Govind Bhosale and others, challenged the payment given for their lands taken by the government. The main issue was whether these lands should be considered as having irrigation and if extra payment should be given for trees, wells, and buildings.

The Core Issues

The court had to address two main questions:

1. Should Bhagirabai Govind Bhosale and the other landowners get more money than initially given?
2. Should they get money for extra things like trees and buildings?

The decision was made by Judge Shailesh P. Brahme on February 27, 2026.

The Dispute Over Land Classification

The landowners, represented by their lawyer Mr. Anand Bhandari, argued that their lands had irrigation, which should increase their payment. The initial classification by the Land Acquisition Officer labeled them as dry lands, offering a lower rate of Rs. 370 per R. The landowners wanted a rate of Rs. 1,500 per R for dry land and Rs. 3,000 per R for irrigated land.

"The land under acquisition needs to be treated as irrigated land," argued Mr. Anand Bhandari, the landowners' lawyer.

Payment for Additional Factors

The landowners also wanted money for wells, buildings, and trees, which were not initially considered. The Reference Court had previously denied these claims, sticking to the original payment that didn't account for these factors.

Court's Decision

The court decided that Bhagirabai Govind Bhosale and her co-appellants should get higher payment rates and extra money for the overlooked factors. The Reference Court's cautious approach was overturned, allowing for a re-evaluation of the payment.

"It is possible to award additional payment to such persons adhering to the rate fixed in the Foundational Award," the decision stated.

Group I and Group II Appeals

The appeals were divided into two groups:

• Group I: Focused on the classification of land. The court agreed with the landowners, granting them the higher rate for irrigated land.
• Group II: Concerned with extra payment for buildings and trees. These cases were sent back to the Reference Court for further review.

Final Order

The court ordered:

• Higher payment rates for lands in Group I.
• Re-evaluation of claims in Group II by the Reference Court.
• Payment of extra components like solatium and interest to the landowners.

Bhagirabai Govind Bhosale and the other parties are set to appear before the Reference Court on March 18, 2026, to speed up the resolution of these claims.

This decision is a significant step for landowners in Vaijapur, ensuring they receive fair payment for their taken lands.