Pune: The Supreme Court on Monday directed Maharashtra govt to hand over 24 acres and 38 gunthas alternative land in Yewalewadi to the party whose land of equivalent area in Pashan was acquired by govt in 1961 and later given to defence ministry for setting up the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in 1963. Lawyer Nishant Katneshwarkar, appearing for Maharashtra govt, told TOI, "The SC bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice K V Viswanathan passed an order to this effect after additional chief secretary (revenue and forest) Rajesh Kumar, present in person in the court, furnished an undertaking that govt will handover possession of the alternative land after measurement to the applicant (affected party) free from all encumbrances within six weeks from the receipt of the court's order." He said the court had allowed state govt to complete all formalities like modification of Section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, in case of reservations, if any, within three months.
"The matter has been kept for next hearing in Jan 2025 when a compliance report will be filed," Katneshwarkar said. The undertaking submitted by Kumar read: "With regard to modification under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, I had consulted with the chief secretary and the principal secretary (UD-I) of the urban development department, Maharashtra state. With their consent, I undertake that the said formalities will be completed at th.