SC Warns State of Maharashtra over Not Paying Compensation to Person whose Property Was Illegally Occupied Saying It Will Stop Schemes like ‘Ladli Behna’

Today (August 13), the Supreme Court (SC) bench scolded the State of Maharashtra for not coming up with a reasonable compensation amount to give to the person whose property was illegally occupied by the State nearly 6 decades ago. The bench including Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan gave a stern warning that if the State would not come up with a reasonable compensation amount then it would order to stop the scheme such as ‘ladli behna’ and direct the demolition of structures built on the illegally acquired land. Justice Gavai said, “We will direct all your ladli behna….ladli bahu…If we do not find the amount to be reasonable we will direct the structure, may be in the national interest or public interest, everything to be demolished. We will direct the compensation for illegally using that land from 1963 till today and then if you want to acquire now, then you can do it under the new (land acquisition) Act.” He added, “Come with a reasonable figure. Ask your chief secretary to speak to the CM. Otherwise, we will stop all those schemes.” The bench will continue hearing the matter tomorrow (August 14). During the proceedings today, Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta appeared for the applicant. Earlier on August 07, the SC bench directed certain points to be included in the affidavit to be filed by the State regarding the matter.