Two Claimants Can Pursue Claim To ₹14.99 Lakh For PMCH-Acquired Land Before LARRA Court, Patna HC Says

The petitioners claimed rights in land at Misri Ghat, Patna, measuring 4,318 square feet, and relied on a 2003 civil court decree declaring title in favour of the petitioner and his brother.

An encroachment proceeding was initiated on the allegation that the petitioners had encroached on land belonging to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH); the State sought the land for PMCH’s renovation and extension.

The petitioners sought protection against dispossession or demolition pending acquisition and compensation, and separate compensation for each petitioner.

In a supplementary counter-affidavit, the State reported that payments had been made to the petitioners, but a claim by petitioner Nos. 4 and 9 concerning 0.03618 acre remained disputed.

The compensation of Rs. 14,99,054 for that land had been deposited with the LARRA Court at Patna after the dispute was referred there.

The judgment cites no specific statute, precedent, or substantive legal test.

The Court proceeded on the basis that, where a dispute over entitlement to acquisition compensation had been referred to the LARRA Court and the disputed amount deposited there, the claimants could appear before that Court and establish their entitlement, subject to law.

The State’s supplementary affidavit showed that compensation had been paid to the petitioners generally, while the entitlement to compensation for the disputed 0.03618 acre remained unresolved.

Because the disputed amount had been deposited with the LARRA Court following referral of the dispute, the High Court did not determine the petitioners’ entitlement itself.

It accepted their request for liberty to pursue the claim before that forum.

Pending applications were also disposed of.