The Gauhati High Court has sought responses from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Mizoram Government and two private persons on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition alleging irregularities in the acquisition of land for an IAF establishment near Lengpui in Mizoram and the disbursal of nearly ₹198.79 crore in compensation.

On July 27, a Division Bench comprising Justices Michael Zothankhuma and Budi Habung issued notices after hearing the plea filed by the Citizen Alliance for Truth and Justice (CATAJ), a registered society, and Rev. Zaidarhzauva.

The petition challenges the acquisition of about 110 bighas of land at Lengpui village for an IAF administrative establishment and alleges that compensation was paid to individuals who were not the lawful landowners.

According to the petitioners, compensation arising from the acquisition of seven Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs) was disbursed to respondents Rohmingliana and Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual, even though they were not the actual landowners.

During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel pointed to seven sale deeds through which Rohmingliana allegedly acquired the land in 2005. However, the court noted that the sale deeds were not registered under the Registration Act as applicable in Mizoram.

The Bench also took note of certificates submitted by three purported landowners, K. Lalduha, H.L. Samuel and Ramfangzauva, who reportedly stated that they were unaware of how their Village Council Passes had been converted into Land Settlement Certificates and denied selling their land to Rohmingliana.

In its order, the court observed that the State authorities would have to explain how compensation could be released to the two private persons when they were not the legal owners of the acquired land.

The court further referred to an undertaking submitted by Rohmingliana on July 18, 2025, stating that the original LSCs had been mortgaged with IDBI Bank’s regional office in Guwahati to secure a loan. As per the undertaking, part of the compensation was sought to be released so that the loan could be cleared and the original land documents retrieved.

“What is the basis for giving compensation amount to the respondent nos. 14 & 15 and not to land owners, would have to be clarified by the State respondents,” the Bench observed.

The court issued notices to all respondents, including the Union of India, the IAF, Defence Estates authorities and officials of the Mizoram government. It directed the respondents to file affidavits explaining the compensation disbursement and listed the matter for further hearing on August 25.

The case was earlier highlighted by the Opposition parties and also K. Vanlalvena, former Rajya Sabha member from the Mizo National Front (MNF).

On February 6, Mr. Vanlalvena had alleged that he was not being allowed to raise in the Parliament the alleged corruption in the procurement of defence land. He stated that he had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his party had also submitted a criminal complaint to the Chief Vigilance Officer, Government of Mizoram demanding a probe by the Central investigating agencies. The MNF is an opposition party in Mizoram.

He said some private lands near Mizoram’s lone Lengpui Airport and Sihphir village near Aizawl were acquired by the State government for establishment of air defence systems by the IAF were purchased at exorbitant rates in violation of the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

In his letter to Mr. Shah, the MP said that, “key safeguards under the Act, including publication of acquisition notifications in local newspapers, consultation with village councils, and conduct of Social Impact Assessment studies, were bypassed. As a result, public money amounting to over ₹187.90 crore appears to have been laundered through questionable intermediaries, raising serious concerns of corruption and collusion.”

Published - July 31, 2026 09:49 pm IST