The Maharashtra government will challenge in the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court’s recent verdict concerning ownership of around 254.88 acres of prime land in Mira-Bhayander. The Bombay High Court, in its April 30 judgment, had ruled in favour of private entities – The Estate Investment Company  and Mira Real Estate Developers — in the long-pending land ownership dispute.

Calling the verdict unexpected, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, the state government has decided to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court to strongly present its claim over the land, which it maintains belongs to the state government.

According to the government, changes were allegedly made in revenue records of the land located in Bhayander area without prior approval since 1948, following which names of private entities, including Estate Investment Company and later Mira Salt Works, were entered in official records.
The dispute later reached the Supreme Court, which directed the parties to approach the Thane district collector. In 2002, the collector rejected Mira Salt Works’ claim and ordered that the entire land be vested with the government.

However, the companies and the Salt Commissioner moved the Bombay High Court in 2019. While the court dismissed the Salt Commissioner’s appeal, it held that the land belonged to Mira Salt Works.

Mr Bawankule cited provisions of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, asserting that the land legally belongs to the state government and said attempts to grab government land through manipulation of revenue records would be firmly opposed.<>