Summary: A group of landowners from Babhalgaon, Latur, challenged the compensation offered for their land acquired for a percolation tank. The court decided to increase the compensation, but not as much as the landowners hoped.
A group of landowners, including Shriram Pandurang Dange, took their case to court. They felt the payment for their land, which was taken for a percolation tank, was way too low. Initially, they were offered Rs. 1394 to Rs. 2788 per R, but they wanted Rs. 250 per square foot, saying the land had high potential and could be used for business.
"The acquired lands were next to Latur-Nilanga State Highway and surrounded by developed infrastructure."
The State of Maharashtra, on the other hand, thought the payment was too high. They argued that the land wasn't worth as much as the owners claimed and wanted to reduce the amount paid.
The court had to decide between the landowners' and the State's arguments. Judges Nitin B. Suryawanshi and Sandipkumar C. More looked at past sales and decisions to find a fair price. They decided on Rs. 165 per square foot, which was more than the original offer but less than what the owners wanted.
"We think it's right to give higher compensation to all these claimants for the acquisition of their lands at the rate of Rs.165/- per sq.ft."
The court also ordered the State to pay interest on the higher compensation from the date of the award and cover some legal costs. The interest rates were set at 9% for the first year and 15% after that until payment.
The landowners, including Shriram Pandurang Dange, didn't get everything they asked for, but the court's decision was an improvement from the initial offer. The court's ruling highlights the ongoing struggle for fair land compensation, especially in fast-growing areas like Latur.
