The failure of the authority to acquire land within the statutory period results in the lapse of reservation, allowing the landowner to develop the property.

JUDGMENT :

Kamal Khata, J.

1) By this Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the Petitioner who is the owner of land bearing Survey No.261/5B admeasuring 3300 sq. mtrs. situated at Malkaur Nagar Parishad, Taluka Karad, Dist. Satara (‘writ land’) is challenging the rejection of the Petitioner's plan for development, although the reservation on the writ property has lapsed, on account of failure to acquire the writ property.

2) We have heard both counsel and have perused the papers and proceedings.

3) Mr. A.S. Rao, learned Advocate for the Petitioner draws our attention to the Purchase Notice dated 26^th April, 2019 issued by the Petitioner under Section 49(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (‘MRTP Act’) which was confirmed by the Government of Maharashtra as per Section 49(4) of the MRTP Act vide its Order dated 23^rd October, 2019. As per the mandate of Section 49(7) of the MRTP Act the Respondent No.2 ought to have made an Application to acquire the land as required under Section 126 of the MRTP Act within a period of 1 year from the date of confirmation of the Purchase Notice. That period expired on 22^nd October, 2020. Admittedly no steps were taken to comply with the mandate of Section 49(7) of the MRTP Act and therefore the writ land stood released from the reservation and is available to the Petitioner for the purposes of development. Despite the fact that, the writ land stood released, the Application for development made by the Petitioner was rejected by Respondent No.2 by its Order dated 4^th February, 2021.

3.1) It is an admitted fact that, the Respondent No.2 has not taken any steps for acquiring the writ land and can be evinced by the communication dated 1^st June, 2022 from the District Collector’s Office. He admitted that, the Petitioner had filed an Appeal before the Government of Maharashtra. However for one and half years the same is not heard and the Report dated 4^th July, 2019 submitted to the Government of Maharashtra indicates that, the organization namely Santkrupa Swayam Sidh Mahila Bachat Ghat Sanstha for which the writ land was reserved does not exist in the limits of Respondent No.2 and the organization was not available on its communication address. In view of the above, the rejection to develop the writ land was illegal and against the provisions of law. He submits that this is nothing else but harassment to the Petitioner who now is 82 years old. Under these circumstances he has filed the Petition and requests that, the Petition be made absolute.

4) Ms. Kapadia, learned AGP for Respondent Nos.1, 3 and 4 admits that, no reply has been filed to the said Petition although they were given an opportunity on 6^th February, 2025. She submitted that, she has received no instructions from the Respondents with regard to the Petition. She is unable to dispute the Purchase Notice and the fact that, the period for acquisition has lapsed. She therefore fairly submits that, the Court may be pleased to pass necessary Orders as it deems fit and proper.

5) Undisputedly the statutory period of 12 months as contemplated under the MRTP Act after confirmation of the Purchase Notice on 23^rd October 2019 by the Government of Maharashtra expired on 22^nd October, 2020. Evidently, the Authority has failed to make an Application under Section 49(7) of the MRTP Act to acquire the land after the Purchase Notice was confirmed

6) It would be useful to reproduce Section 49(7) for ready reference:

“Section 49(7): If within one year from the date of confirmation of the notice, the Appropriate Authority fails to make an application to acquire the land in respect of which the purchase notice has been confirmed as required under section 126, the reservation, designation, allotment, indication or restriction on development of the land shall be deemed to have lapsed; and thereupon, the land shall be deemed to be released from the reservation, designation, or, as the case may be, allotment, indication or restric