The Mizoram state legislative assembly has unanimously approved the adoption of "The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013." The decision follows the Gauhati High Court's ruling that rendered the state's own land acquisition law, enacted in 2016, inapplicable. With several pending land acquisition cases, the state needed a valid legal framework. Due to special constitutional provisions under Article 371G, central laws related to land ownership and transfer require a formal resolution from the state legislature for implementation in Mizoram. With this adoption, the state now has a transparent and legally enforceable framework for land acquisition, ensuring fair compensation and due process for affected stakeholders.Read more

The Nilgiris district administration has intensified its crackdown on unauthorized constructions to protect the region's ecology and enforce building regulations. Recently, officials sealed a 5,000-square-foot illegal structure in Karimora, which had exceeded its approved residential limits and was illegally repurposed as a tourist stay. Similar actions have been taken in the Segur plateau elephant corridor and Shimla, where thousands of unauthorized buildings threaten environmental stability. Illegal structures in hill stations increase landslide risks, infrastructure strain, and ecological damage. The Nilgiris administration's actions highlight the need for strict enforcement to ensure sustainable development and environmental protection.Read more

The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has struck down the rules under Section 17(2) of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, 1974, which allowed zoning changes based on individual applications. The court ruled that these approvals, often converting ecologically sensitive areas into settlement zones, disrupted Goa's Regional Plan 2021. Between March 2023 and January 2025, 353 such approvals impacted 26.5 lakh sq. meters of land. The ruling, following a PIL by environmental groups, limits private land conversions, with the Goa government now set to amend planning guidelines in compliance with the verdict.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) is contesting the National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) order admitting Ansal API into insolvency, filing an impleadment before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The move aims to ensure that the developer fulfills its obligations to homebuyers, who have long awaited possession or refunds. UP-RERA has recovered INR 125.39 crore for buyers but flagged INR 113 crore in pending dues and non-compliance with 1,234 orders. Similar interventions by MahaRERA and K-RERA highlight the growing role of regulators in holding developers accountable and protecting homebuyers' rights.Read more

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the Dindigul district administration to address illegal sand mining in Thethupatti village pond within 12 weeks, following a PIL filed by Pandi Yogeswaran. Justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy emphasized public participation in the review process. Illegal sand mining is a nationwide issue, with Tamil Nadu recently facing a INR 5,832 crore scam. Across India, 418 deaths have been linked to illegal mining incidents. Courts and state authorities are intensifying efforts to regulate sand extraction, tackling environmental damage and the influence of organized sand mafias.Read more

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a case against Edelweiss and 15 associate companies, following Ecstasy Realty Pvt Ltd's complaint of misappropriating INR 750 crore. The dispute involves the Raisakaran project in Andheri (West), where Ecstasy Realty alleges only INR 600 crore of a INR 1,350 crore loan was disbursed, with the rest misused. The complaint also accuses Edelweiss of selling mortgaged flats below market value and raising interest rates without consent. Edelweiss denies wrongdoing, claiming Ecstasy Realty owes INR 480 crore. The case is now under EOW investigation, with legal proceedings ongoing in multiple forums.Read more

The Bombay High Court discharged Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), its Chairman Gautam Adani, and Managing Director Rajesh Adani from a cheating case filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The case, lodged in 2012, alleged artificial manipulation of AEL's share price, resulting in an unlawful gain of INR 388 crore. However, Justice R N Laddha held that the complaint failed to establish the essential elements of cheating or conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code. The Court also rejected SFIO's plea to delay the discharge order's implementation.Read more

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that state authorities cannot use private land for public projects without legal acquisition and compensation, warning that violators will face personal financial penalties. The case involved Kanyawati, a Bareilly resident, whose land was taken for a road widening project without due process. The court upheld her rights under Article 300A, directing the government to compensate her within four weeks. Similar cases have surfaced in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, where landowners have challenged unauthorized government takeovers, highlighting the urgent need for strict enforcement of land acquisition laws.Read more

Homebuyers in Karnataka are urging the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) to introduce structured project closure guidelines to prevent delays in housing projects. Unlike Odisha, which mandates developers to retain 1% of project costs for five years post-occupancy to cover defects, Karnataka lacks a similar policy, leading to prolonged incomplete projects and ownership disputes. The Karnataka Home Buyers Forum has formally requested K-RERA to adopt Odisha's model, ensuring that developers fulfill commitments and complete projects on time. Advocates argue that such a policy would increase accountability, protect homebuyers, and bring transparency to the real estate sector.Read more

The Gunthewari Act's land regularization process in Nagpur has left over 1.5 lakh homeowners in limbo, facing bureaucratic hurdles and financial burdens. A major concern is the requirement to surrender 10% of land to NMRDA, delaying approvals. NIT has rejected 43,500 applications, citing zoning restrictions, while continuing to collect fees. Amid rising pressure, Deputy CM Shri Eknath Shinde has formed a high-level committee to streamline the process. Calls for NIT's dissolution and merger with NMRDA are gaining traction. Similar issues in Pune and Mumbai highlight nationwide challenges in land regularization, making this committee's recommendations crucial for reform.Read more