Gauhati High Court Questions Mizoram Government Over Land Acquisition Compensation
Court Seeks Clarification on Compensation Payments
Lengpui Airport, Mizoram. 'X'
Aizawl, July 28: The Gauhati High Court has requested responses from the Mizoram government and relevant authorities regarding a compensation amounting to nearly Rs 198.79 crore for land acquired for an Indian Air Force (IAF) facility at Lengpui. This issue has escalated into one of the most significant political controversies in Mizoram recently.
A division bench comprising Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Budi Habung issued notices on Monday to the Union government, the Indian Air Force, and the Mizoram government, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Citizen Alliance for Truth and Justice (CATAJ) and Rev Zaidarhzauva.
The petition contests the acquisition of approximately 110 bighas of land in Lengpui village for the IAF's administrative establishment and the subsequent compensation payment of Rs 198,78,55,155.
According to the petitioners, the land in question was covered by seven Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs), with compensation for individual plots varying from around Rs 79.23 lakh to Rs 3.88 crore.
The petition claims that while the compensation was intended for the owners of the seven LSCs, about Rs 69.99 crore was disbursed to Rohmingliana of Vaivakawn, and the remaining Rs 117.19 crore went to Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual of Bawngkawn.
During the proceedings, the petitioners' counsel revealed that three recorded landowners—K Lalduha, HL Samuel, and Ramfangzauva—provided written statements asserting they were unaware of how their village council passes were converted into Land Settlement Certificates and denied selling their land to Rohmingliana.
Furthermore, the petitioners argued that although seven sale deeds dated May 9, 2005, were presented to the court to validate the transfers, none were registered under the Indian Registration Act as amended for Mizoram.
The court also reviewed documents allegedly signed by the seven landowners in September 2019, which authorized Rohmingliana to collect compensation on their behalf, along with minutes from an official meeting regarding the land acquisition.
The bench noted an undertaking submitted by Rohmingliana on July 18, 2025, indicating he could not provide the original Land Settlement Certificates as they were mortgaged with IDBI Bank in Guwahati for a loan. He requested an advance release of Rs 30 crore from his compensation to settle the loan and retrieve the original documents for submission to district authorities.
After considering the petitioners' arguments, the court remarked that the Mizoram government must clarify how compensation was allocated to Rohmingliana and Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual when the sale deeds cited for the transaction were unregistered.
The bench further stated that the State needs to explain the rationale behind the compensation distribution to the two individuals, despite declarations from K Lalduha, HL Samuel, and Ramfangzauva denying the conversion of their village council passes into Land Settlement Certificates or any sale of their land to Rohmingliana.
Recognizing the need for further investigation into the allegations, the court issued notices to all parties involved and instructed them to submit their affidavits.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on August 25, 2026.
The alleged irregularities surrounding the land acquisition and compensation process, referred to as the “Lengpui land scam” by opposition parties and civil society organizations, have sparked extensive public discourse, calls for an independent investigation, and intense exchanges between the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government and its opponents.