Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay

Order Date: 16 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Vikas Ramvilas Mundhada, Shekhar Ramvilas Mundhada, Major Ravindra Shankar Bhatnagar (Retd.), Ramanand Ganeshlalji Modani, represented by Dr. Ramdas P. Sabban and co‑counsel.
  • Respondent: The State of Maharashtra through the Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, with the Municipal Corporation and Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) as respondents No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.
  • Contempt petitions numbered 512, 513, 540, 541, and 542 of 2026 were filed under writ petitions 11507 of 2024, 8706 of 2025, 8158 of 2025, and 8160 of 2025, alleging violation of the Court’s May 2025 directions.
  • Original direction (Writ Petition No. 11507 of 2024 dated 07‑05‑2025) required the State to consider the Pune Municipal Corporation’s proposal for acquisition of land bearing Survey No. 55/1/B, initiate acquisition proceedings, and pay compensation preferably within one year of the order’s upload.
  • Petitioners claim no effective steps were taken; respondents filed reply affidavits, and the Municipal Corporation deposited 30% of the proposed compensation on 27‑03‑2026.
  • A letter dated 21‑09‑2026 from the Deputy Superintendent of Land Record, Haveli, to the SLAO highlighted the need for spot inspection and measurement due to defects in existing records.

Final Outcome

  • The Court disposed of all contempt petitions, directing the respondents to complete the acquisition of the subject lands and disburse the full compensation to the petitioners on or before 31‑08‑2027.
  • The Special Land Acquisition Officer (respondent No. 4) is ordered to immediately lay down a detailed schedule for completion of the acquisition and to communicate this schedule to the Municipal Corporation.
  • The SLAO must take into account all relevant factors while determining the quantum of compensation.
  • The Court emphasized that the stipulated time‑limit must be honoured and that further steps should be taken expeditiously.

Topics: Land Acquisition, Contempt of Court