The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has issued a significant order, directing the Thane District Collector to provide fair compensation to a man whose land was acquired for a government infrastructure project without any payment being made to him.
Commission Intervenes After Citizen's Plea
In a case highlighting administrative delays, the MSHRC stepped in after the complainant, Mohd Shaikh, a resident of Kurla, approached the commission. Shaikh stated that his property, identified as Plot No. 111 at Mauje Balyani in Kalyan Taluka, which included his house and a shop, was taken over for the Mumbai–Vadodara Ramay Alignment project.
He alleged that the acquisition left him without any source of income, as he never received the compensation owed to him for his acquired land and assets. Following this, he sought redressal from the human rights body.
Collector's Non-Compliance Leads to Commission's Order
The commission, in an order made available on Thursday, January 2, 2026, detailed its proceedings. The order, issued by chairperson Justice A M Badar, noted that the MSHRC had previously asked the Thane Collector to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into Shaikh's complaint and submit a report.
The collector neither carried out the instructed inquiry nor appeared before the commission to present his side. This lack of response and rebuttal proved crucial to the commission's decision.
Legal Basis for the Compensation Directive
The MSHRC order stated that in the absence of any counter from the Thane Collector's office, it must be held that the complainant's property was compulsorily acquired by the state without payment of any compensation. This constitutes a clear violation of the individual's rights.
Consequently, the commission has ordered the Thane Collector to pay fair compensation to Mohd Shaikh as per the existing law, specifically citing The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. This landmark legislation was enacted to ensure transparency and justice for those affected by land acquisition for development projects.
A Precedent for Accountability
This directive, passed in December 2025, underscores the accountability of government authorities in following due process during land acquisition. It reinforces that compulsory acquisition must be accompanied by prompt and fair compensation as mandated by law. The MSHRC's intervention provides a vital recourse for citizens when administrative machinery fails to uphold their legal rights.
