Raipur Airport Terminal Built On My Ancestral Land: Farmer Moves Supreme Court Seeking ₹3,500 Crore Compensation
A Chhattisgarh farmer claimed before the Supreme Court that the land occupied by Raipur's Swami Vivekananda Airport was temporarily acquired during World War II, never returned to his family, and sought nearly Rs.3,500 crore in compensation
Farmer approaches the Supreme Court seeking ₹3,500 crore compensation, claiming Raipur's Swami Vivekananda Airport was built on his family's ancestral land
A 53-year-old farmer from Chhattisgarh has approached the Supreme Court seeking nearly Rs. 3,500 crore in compensation, claiming that the land on which Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur, including its terminal building and surrounding premises, now stands originally belonged to his family.
The petitioner, Ashwani Bandhe, has contended that the land was taken by the British government in 1942 during World War II for military purposes on a temporary basis and was never lawfully returned to his family after the war ended. According to his plea, neither possession of the land was restored nor was the compensation allegedly promised by the authorities ever paid.
Bandhe has reportedly been pursuing the dispute for nearly 35 years, collecting historical land records, archival documents and government records to substantiate his claim. He maintains that approximately 30 acres and 18 decimals of his family's land were taken for the construction of the then Mana airfield, which later evolved into the present-day Swami Vivekananda Airport.
According to reports, Bandhe has relied on historical acquisition records, archival material and documents obtained from government departments to argue that the land was never permanently acquired. He has further claimed that the acquisition envisaged payment of an annual rent of Rs. 1,300, which was allegedly never paid.
The petitioner has also contended that the Defence of India Act, under which the land was allegedly taken during the war, ceased to operate after its repeal in 1946, and that subsequent legislative changes failed to recognise or restore his family's rights over the property.
Bandhe has reportedly told the Court that he recently obtained certified copies of historical land records through the State Culture Department, which, according to him, mention his ancestors in connection with the wartime acquisition. Officials of the Culture Department have reportedly acknowledged the existence of historical acquisition records but have not expressed any opinion on the validity of his ownership claim.
According to reports, the Chhattisgarh High Court had earlier directed a fresh inquiry into the dispute. Bandhe has, however, argued before the Supreme Court that the matter has already been examined by the competent authorities and has sought compensation instead of another inquiry.
His compensation claim of nearly Rs. 3,500 crore reportedly includes the present value of the land, alleged unpaid rent, interest and other consequential dues accumulated over several decades.
The Supreme Court has not yet examined the merits of the claim, and the matter remains pending. No findings have been returned by the Court regarding the petitioner's assertions or the ownership of the airport land.
[Inputs: NBT]