Maxwelton Estate case

SHILLONG: In a major relief to the government, the High Court of Meghalaya in a recent judgment has revoked a 2015 order in the ‘Maxwelton Estate’ case that would save the exchequer crores of rupees.
The 2015 order of the division bench was that the land acquisition of Maxwelton Estate, Kench’s Trace as per 1894 Act had lapsed bringing additional burden on the government.
In 2015, Pawan Bawri in the matter of compensation, had approached the High court stating that he is entitled to compensation under the provisions of the New land Acquisition Act 2013 and not under old Land acquisition Act of 1894.
Following this, Court held that the proceeding under the old Land Acquisition Act of 1894 initiated by the government in 2001 has lapsed and as such the government had to resort to the provision under the New L.A. Act of 2013 and pay compensation as per the New Act which could amount to payment of additional crores of rupees by the government.
The government preferred a review of the case and was represented by Additional Senior Government advocate K. Khan.
Later during the hearing of the case on May 17 this year, the Court recalled the order dated 16.12.2015 on the grounds that the proceeding under the old L.A. Act 1894 has not lapsed as found by the earlier division bench.