In a significant ruling on May 2, 2025, the Bombay High Court reprimanded the Maharashtra government for failing to compensate a villager whose land was acquired over three decades ago. The court directed the state to compute and disburse the compensation, along with interest, within four months.

The case involved Sumitra Shridhar Khane from Vhanur village in Kolhapur district. In September 1990, the government acquired her land for a public project but did not provide compensation. Khane filed a petition highlighting that this inaction violated her constitutional rights under Article 300A, which protects the right to property. The court noted that such prolonged deprivation without due process constitutes an ongoing injustice.

The bench, comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Somasekhar Sundaresan, emphasized that the state’s failure to adhere to lawful procedures exacerbated the injustice. The court also acknowledged that not every citizen has the means to seek legal redress, underscoring the state’s duty to protect citizens’ rights proactively.

This ruling is part of a broader pattern where courts have criticized Maharashtra authorities for delays in compensating landowners after acquisition. In a related case from 2005, the Supreme Court directed the Beed Zilla Parishad to pay compensation to villagers whose land was acquired for a water tank project, warning of contempt proceedings if payment was not made promptly.

The May 2 Bombay High Court order is a reminder of the state’s constitutional obligation to ensure timely and fair compensation for land acquisition, reinforcing the protection of citizens’ property rights.

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