Maharashtra to move SC against Bombay HC's 254-acre land ruling

The Maharashtra government has announced it will challenge a Bombay High Court order that granted approximately 254.88 acres of prime government land in Mira-Bhayandar — estimated to be worth hundreds of crores — to private builders. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed on Saturday, 9 May that the state will file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the ruling.

Background of the Dispute

The 254.88 acres of land, located in the Mouje Bhayandar area of Mira-Bhayandar, belongs to the State Government. According to a government statement, unauthorised changes to revenue records have been made since 1948 without prior government permission. The names of Estate Investment Company and later Mira Salt Works were allegedly inserted illegally into the records. In 1958, the Central Government's Salt Department was added to the records owing to the land's use as salt pans.

Key Developments in the Legal Battle

The ownership dispute had previously reached the Supreme Court, which directed that an appeal be filed before the Thane District Collector. In 2002, the District Collector rejected the claim of Mira Salt Company and ordered that the entire land be vested with the State Government. However, in 2019, the companies and the Central Government's Salt Commissioner filed a First Appeal before the Bombay High Court.

On 30 April, the High Court rejected the Salt Commissioner's appeal and ruled that the land belongs to Mira Salt Works, effectively opening the door for private developer Mira Real Estate Developers to retain its name on what the state regards as government land. The government statement notably pointed out that the High Court appeal was filed only on the issue of maintainability, yet the court decided the matter on merits — a procedural concern the state intends to raise before the Supreme Court.