AKKATAI PARSU KAMBLE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. With the consent of the parties, rule is made returnable forthwith and the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal.

(2.) This Writ Petition challenges the land acquisition proceedings initiated at the instance of the National Highways Authority of India ("NHAI") in connection with National Highway No. 166 connecting Kolhapur and Ratnagiri, which is required to pass through Bambavade Village. The Petitioner claims to have ownership interests in land admeasuring in 2.4 hectares in Gat No.403 at Bambavade. Out of such land, 0.14 hectares ("Subject Land") has been subjected to acquisition proceedings under the National Highways Act, 1956 ("the Act").

(3.) There are various disputes and proceedings in connection with the land on which the Petitioner claims ownership interests, and two Interim Applications for intervention by competing parties have been filed. However, for purposes of disposing of this Petition, it is not necessary to outline the contours of the disputes between the Petitioner and other claimants to interests in the Subject Land.