An excess compensation of about Rs 9 crore was paid to land owners for expansion of the Umroi airport prompting the Meghalaya High Court to direct the State not to pay the balance amount without its permission.
A division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh today said that as per a report submitted by the Ri Bhoi District Judge the amount was paid in excess of the market value to the land owners, Patricia Nongsiej, Stied Dkhar and Mac Lyngdoh Shira.
As per the report of the District Judge submitted to the High Court, a sum of Rs 25, 70, 80,258 which is 80 per cent of the compensation was received by the owners.
The court said, “There is no dispute that the owners in due course would also receive the balance 20 per cent.”, which it deemed fit that the State shall not disburse the balance compensation to the owners without its leave.
The court also directed the case be transferred to the District and Sessions Judge, Shillong, who is also the Special Judicial Officer under the Land Acquisition Act, who will decide on the excess payment within three months.
It may be noted that the Supreme Court order of August 2, 2017 has directed the Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court to nominate a District Judge to determine as to whether public money had been squandered by offering high rate of compensation which was against the rate offered by the land owner and the rate at which the land owner purchased just before acquisition and who is entitled to the compensation.
Meanwhile, the division bench said the scope of application will not only cover the enquiry into the alleged excess sum paid but also to fix responsibility on and take action against the land officials responsible for the illegal act, if proved.
The court also said all subsisting interim orders will continue and listed the matter on June 24, 2025.
