A two-judge bench of the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench, on Monday heard a public interest litigation by the Citizen Alliance for Truth and Justice (CATAJ) alleging irregularities in land acquisition for an Indian Air Force administrative establishment at Lengpui and issued notices to all respondents, including the Union of India and the Government of Mizoram. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on Aug. 25 and directed respondents to file affidavits by that date.
The PIL, filed by Dr J.M. Vanlalhriata and Rev. Zaidarhzauva on behalf of CATAJ and represented in court by advocate Joseph Lalchhanhima Renthlei, was heard by Justices Michael Zothankhuma and Budi Habung. The petition challenges the acquisition of about 110 bighas of land at Lengpui for which Rs 1,98,78,55,155 was paid and questions why compensation was disbursed to two persons identified as respondent Nos. 14 and 15, whom the petitioners say are not the actual landowners.
Petitioners contend the land concerned was covered by seven Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs) and was acquired by the state under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, on July 24, 2025. The bench noted that three landowners — K. Lalduha, H.L. Samuel and Ramfangzuava — have submitted certificates stating they did not know how land recorded under Village Council Passes was converted into LSCs and that they were not party to any sale deed transferring their land.
The court record shows that seven sale deeds, dated May 9, 2005, purportedly sold seven plots to one Rohmingliana. Rohmingliana is reported to have received Rs 69,99,60,000 as compensation, while respondent No. 15, Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual, received Rs 117,19,26,340. The judges observed none of those sale deeds were registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, as amended for Mizoram, and said the state respondents must explain on what basis compensation was paid to these two individuals instead of the claimed landowners.
“We are of the view that the state respondents would have to clarify as to how compensation could have been disbursed to respondent Nos. 14 and 15, when they were not the landowners,” the bench said, adding that the certificates from the three landowners denying conversion or sale raise serious questions that require official explanation.
The controversy — widely referred to locally as the “Lengpui Land Scam” — has troubled Mizoram since earlier this year, provoking sharp exchanges among political parties and dominating recent discussions in the state assembly. The court will return to the matter on Aug. 25 pending sworn responses from the respondents.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/gauhati-hc-issues-notice-in-pil-over-alleged-irregularities-in-iaf-land-acquisition-at-lengpui/articleshow/132666156.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-07-27 21:54:00
