Petitioner Roshan Shrikant Tandel approached the court after discovering that while the government had issued Section 4 notification on 24 September 1986 and Section 6 declaration on 14 September 1987 for acquiring land for Navi Mumbai, his specific plot was never included in the compensation award declared on 31 August 1989. The award mentioned the land on page 1 but completely omitted it from the valuation and compensation calculations on page 4. Even the possession receipt (kabjepavti) dated 9 July 1990 did not cover this plot. No compensation was ever paid, and possession was never legally taken.

The State and CIDCO admitted these facts in their reply affidavits. Yet they tried to wriggle out by claiming “computational error,” delay and laches, and offered only old 1894 Act compensation plus some interest and developed plots.

Justice Manish Pitale, writing for the Division Bench (along with Justice Shreeram V. Shirsat), tore apart the respondents’ defence. The court held that because no award was passed for this specific land within two years of the Section 6 declaration, the entire acquisition proceedings lapsed by operation of law under Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, as far back as 13 September 1989.

The judges rejected CIDCO’s “computational error” argument, noting that unlike previous cases cited by the corporation, here there was zero computation, zero payment, and zero legal possession. The court also dismissed the delay plea, observing that the petitioner was a minor at the time, his mother was an illiterate widow, and the State itself had conceded the factual position.

Relying heavily on Article 300-A of the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kolkata Municipal Corporation vs. Bimal Kumar Shah (2024), the High Court held that no person can be deprived of property except by authority of law. CIDCO’s subsequent demarcation and development of the plot cannot override the petitioner’s constitutional right.

In a decisive order, the court declared that the 1986-87 acquisition for this plot has lapsed. Instead of ordering physical return of the already-developed land (which would cause practical complications), the Bench directed CIDCO and the State to initiate fresh acquisition proceedings under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and complete the process — including determination and payment of compensation — within one year (by 5 May 2027).

This judgment is a massive victory for landowners and sends a clear message: the State and its agencies cannot play fast and loose with private property rights for decades and then hide behind technicalities.

Also Read: CIDCO Homes to Become 10% Cheaper

The post CIDCO Took 280 sq.m Land for Navi Mumbai but “Forgot” Compensation — HC Orders Massive 2013 Act Payout appeared first on Square Feat India.

On October 6, 2005, the court issued an interim order emphasizing the need for stringent protection of mangrove areas. This was followed by a comprehensive final order on September 17, 2018, which laid down unequivocal directives to halt encroachments and preserve these vital wetlands. Key provisions from the 2018 order include:

• Immediate cessation of all construction and rubble/garbage dumping in mangrove areas.
• A blanket ban on any construction within 50 meters of mangroves on all sides, irrespective of land ownership.
• Prohibition on issuing development permissions for any mangrove-covered land by authorities across Maharashtra.

These orders underscored the state’s obligation to enforce environmental safeguards, with non-compliance potentially leading to contempt proceedings.

The Spark: Legislative Alert in Monsoon Session 2025

The controversy reignited during the Maharashtra Legislative Council’s Monsoon (Second) Session of 2025. On July 14, 2025, MLC Shri. Bhaskar Jadhav raised Calling Attention Notice No. 2025, spotlighting alleged violations in Majiwade village, Thane taluka. The notice highlighted the destruction of mangroves on several survey numbers—12/1 to 4, 49/1-3, 50/1-4, 51/5, 386/3, 423/1 (Ka, Kha, Ga), 345/3-4-8, and others—where land was illegally filled and handed over to construction firms like M/s Krupa Housing and architects for building projects.

During the ensuing debate in the Legislative Council, prima facie evidence emerged of High Court order violations. Forest Minister’s assurance led to directives for an immediate inquiry, culminating in the government’s decisive action.

Committee Formation: A Multi-Agency Task Force

In response to the notice and judicial mandates, the Maharashtra government’s Revenue and Forests Department issued Order on November 4, 2025, from Mantralaya, Mumbai. The order, signed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Headquarters) Dr. Rajivikarun Govalkar under the authority of the Governor of Maharashtra, formally constitutes a probe committee. The panel is chaired by the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan Division and comprises:

This diverse composition ensures oversight from revenue, urban development, environmental, and forestry perspectives, fostering a thorough and unbiased investigation.

Terms of Reference: Scope and Timeline

The committee’s mandate is clearly defined to address both the immediate violations and systemic lapses:

1. Core Investigation: Probe all constructions—completed or ongoing—within the mangrove buffer zone of the specified survey numbers (12, 49, 50, 51, 386, 345, 423/C, 423/D, 423/V) in Majiwade, Thane, that occurred without High Court approval.
2. Accountability Measures: Identify and assign responsibility to errant officials or mechanisms that granted permissions despite the court’s ban, uncovering any procedural or oversight failures.
3. Reporting Deadline: Submit a comprehensive report with recommendations to the government by the end of December 2025.

The order emphasizes expeditious action to restore ecological integrity and deter future encroachments.

Public Accessibility and Broader Implications

To promote transparency, the full government resolution has been uploaded on the official Maharashtra government portal. Copies have been circulated to key stakeholders, including the Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary, Deputy Chief Ministers’ Private Secretaries, ministers for Revenue, Forests, and Environment, and officials from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Nagpur), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and Thane Police.

This probe arrives at a critical juncture for Maharashtra’s coastal management. With Thane’s rapid urbanization threatening biodiversity hotspots, the committee’s findings could set precedents for enforcement, potentially leading to demolitions, fines, or legal actions. Environmental activists hail it as a victory for judicial oversight, while developers urge a balanced approach to housing needs.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this panel can reclaim the mangroves’ lost ground—or if it signals deeper reforms in the state’s environmental governance.

Also Read: Forest department receives a huge Mangrove forest in Navi Mumbai from CIDCO

The post Maharashtra Govt Forms Probe Panel Over Illegal Mangrove Constructions in Thane’s Majiwade Area appeared first on Square Feat India.

The application process for the Konkan Board lottery began on October 11, 2024. Applicants can participate in the lottery by submitting their forms before the extended deadline of January 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM. After this time, the link for participation will be deactivated. Applicants will be able to make an online payment for the earnest money until 11:59 PM on January 7, 2025. They can also pay the earnest amount through RTGS/NEFT at the bank during office hours on January 7, 2025.

The provisional list of eligible applicants will be published on MHADA’s official website (https://housing.mhada.gov.in) on January 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Applicants can raise objections and claims regarding the list until 5:00 PM on January 22, 2025. The final list of applicants eligible for the lottery will be made available on the MHADA website on January 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

The computerized lottery for eligible applicants will be conducted on January 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The results will be sent to the applicants immediately via SMS, email, and the MHADA app.

The lottery includes 594 flats under the 20% Inclusive Housing Scheme, 825 flats under the 15% Integrated Housing Scheme, 728 scattered flats under the Konkan Board’s Housing Scheme, and 117 plots for sale in Roha-Raigad and Oras-Sindhudurg areas.

Also Read: MHADA Lottery of 5990 flats

The post Deadline Extended for Online Applications for MHADA Konkan BoardLottery Until January 6, 2025 appeared first on Square Feat India.