Aizawl: A two-judge bench of the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench, on Monday heard a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Citizen Alliance for Truth and Justice (CATAJ) alleging irregularities in land acquisition for the Indian Air Force (IAF), and issued notice to all respondents, including the Union of India and the Mizoram govt.The matter will next be heard on Aug 25, by which date respondents have been directed to file affidavits.The PIL was filed by Dr J.M. Vanlalhriata and Rev. Zaidarhzauva on behalf of CATAJ and was represented by advocate Joseph Lalchhanhima Renthlei. It was heard by Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Budi Habung.The bench said the petition questions the acquisition of around 110 bighas of land at Lengpui village for the establishment of an Indian Air Force Administrative Establishment for Rs 1,98,78,55,155, and the disbursement of the amount to respondent Nos. 14 and 15, who the petitioners claim are not the landowners. The petitioners’ case is that land covered by seven Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs) was acquired by the state govt.The seven LSCs were acquired under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, on July 24, 2025.“Interestingly, the landowners of three of the LSCs, i.e. K. Lalduha, H.L. Samuel and Ramfangzuava, have made certificates to the effect that they did not know how their land covered by Village Council Passes was converted into LSCs and that they were not involved in any sale deed or transaction regarding sale of their land to respondent No. 14 (Rohmingliana), who has received Rs 69,99,60,000 as compensation, while respondent No. 15 (Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual) received the balance Rs 117,19,26,340,” the bench said.The judges noted that petitioners’ counsel walked the court through the seven LSCs and seven sale deeds showing the sale of seven plots to Rohmingliana on May 9, 2005, but said none of the sale deeds was registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, as amended for the state of Mizoram.“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, inasmuch as the sale deeds were not registered. Further, three of the landowners, i.e. K. Lalduha, H.L. Samuel and Ramfangzauva, have made certificates denying that they had converted their Village Council Passes into LSCs or had sold their land to respondent No. 14. What is the basis for giving compensation amount to respondent Nos. 14 and 15 and not to landowners would have to be clarified by the state respondents.”The controversy, widely referred to as the ‘Lengpui Land Scam,’ has roiled Mizoram since early this year, with political parties trading allegations and the issue dominating the last budget session of the Mizoram state legislative assembly.
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