Congress Alleges State Government Handover of Valuable Land to Developers

A significant controversy has erupted over 254.88 acres of land in Mira-Bhayandar, valued at Rs 6,000 crore, after the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of private entities. This decision has prompted the state government to announce its intention to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, in a strong statement on Friday, alleged that the government deliberately slowed legal and administrative action to assist developers in acquiring government land. Wadettiwar claimed that despite the land originally belonging to the government, delays in administrative action and alleged irregular changes in revenue records allowed private developers to gain control over the property. He questioned, “Why was the matter not pursued seriously at the senior administrative level despite such orders?”

The controversy stems from an April 30 Bombay High Court verdict that dismissed a central government appeal and accepted the claim that the land belonged to Mira Salt Works. Wadettiwar raised serious questions about the court's ruling on ownership rights when the hearing was primarily related to jurisdiction and maintainability. “This raises serious questions about the efficiency of the government lawyers and the Law and Judiciary Department. Were the government lawyers sleeping?” the Congress leader said.

Wadettiwar further warned that if the state delayed approaching the Supreme Court, the Congress party would move the apex court against the ruling. He emphasized the need for swift action to rectify what he perceives as a grave injustice.

Amid the criticism, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the state had already decided to challenge the order through a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. In a statement issued on Friday, the government said the high court order had effectively granted nearly 254.88 acres of prime land in Mira-Bhayandar to Estate Investment and Mira Real Estate Developers.

The state government maintained that the land belongs to the government and described the verdict as “unexpected.” The government further claimed that although the appeal was limited to the issue of maintainability, the matter was decided on its merits, potentially allowing private developer Mira Real Estate Developers to retain its name on government land.

This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between government oversight and private development interests, particularly in areas with high economic value. The resolution of this issue in the Supreme Court will likely have significant implications for land ownership and administrative practices in the region.