Aizawl: The Gauhati High Court has sought responses from the Mizoram government, the Union government, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other authorities in the high-profile ₹198.79 crore Lengpui land compensation dispute, after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raised serious questions over the legality of land transfers and compensation payments. Observing that the allegations warrant judicial scrutiny, the court has issued notices to all respondents and directed them to file their affidavits. The matter relates to compensation paid for the acquisition of nearly 110 bighas of land at Lengpui village for an Indian Air Force administrative establishment and has emerged as one of Mizoram’s most contentious public controversies.
The PIL was filed by the Citizen Alliance for Truth and Justice (CATAJ) along with Rev. Zaidarhzauva. A Division Bench comprising Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Budi Habung issued notices to the Union government, the Indian Air Force, the Mizoram government and other respondents. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 25, 2026.
According to the petition, the acquired land was covered under seven Land Settlement Certificates (LSCs), with compensation for the individual plots ranging from approximately ₹79.23 lakh to ₹3.88 crore. However, the petition alleges that instead of the recorded landowners receiving the compensation, nearly ₹69.99 crore was paid to Rohmingliana of Vaivakawn, while around ₹117.19 crore was released to Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual of Bawngkawn.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners informed the court that three recorded landowners—K. Lalduha, H.L. Samuel and Ramfangzauva—had submitted written declarations stating that they had no knowledge of how their village council passes had been converted into Land Settlement Certificates. They also denied ever selling their land to Rohmingliana, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the ownership transfers.
The petitioners further argued that although seven sale deeds dated May 9, 2005, were produced before the court to justify the transfers, none of them had been registered under the registration laws applicable in Mizoram. They contended that relying on unregistered sale deeds to establish ownership and release massive compensation amounts raises significant legal concerns regarding the validity of the entire acquisition process.
The court was also presented with documents allegedly executed in September 2019, authorising Rohmingliana to receive compensation on behalf of the seven landowners, along with official records relating to the proposed acquisition. In addition, an undertaking submitted by Rohmingliana on July 18, 2025, stated that the original Land Settlement Certificates had been mortgaged with the Guwahati regional office of IDBI Bank to secure a loan. He had requested the advance release of ₹30 crore from the compensation to clear the loan, redeem the original documents and submit them before the district authorities.
After examining the submissions, the High Court observed that the Mizoram government would have to explain how compensation was released to Rohmingliana and Henry Lalremsanga Hlawnmual when the sale deeds relied upon for the transactions were allegedly unregistered. The Bench also questioned how the compensation was approved despite written declarations from recorded landowners denying both the conversion of their village council passes into Land Settlement Certificates and the sale of their land.
The alleged irregularities have triggered intense political debate across Mizoram, with opposition parties and civil society organisations describing the case as the “Lengpui land scam” and demanding an independent investigation. While the state government has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, the High Court will now examine the affidavits, documentary evidence and legal records to determine whether the land acquisition and compensation process complied with statutory requirements and whether any irregularities warrant further legal action.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
