Overview
- Maharashtra’s revenue minister said Saturday the state will file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, citing Section 29(3)(c) of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, which protects rights in unalienated government land.
- The Bombay High Court’s April 30 ruling dismissed the Salt Commissioner’s appeal and held the land belonged to Mira Salt Works after ruling in favour of Estate Investment and Mira Real Estate Developers.
- The government alleges revenue records were altered without approval starting in 1948, with private entities added to the rolls and the Union Salt Department noted in 1958 due to salt pan use.
- Officials argue the High Court decided ownership on merits even though the appeal focused on whether it was maintainable, which they say could leave a private developer’s name on state land records.
- The 254.88-acre plot in Mouje Bhayandar is valued in the hundreds of crores, and opposition leaders from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have called the episode a land loot, pressing the state to defend public property.