Farmers in Sotai village of Faridabad district, Haryana, have launched an indefinite protest against the execution of construction work and the distribution of land acquisition compensation for a new expressway connecting to Jewar Airport. For the past 6 to 7 days, men, women, and elderly residents of the village have remained steadfast in their demonstration despite the scorching afternoon heat. The protesting villagers assert that the land acquired for the expressway has been handed down through generations of their ancestors. Agricultural practices on these lands have historically formed the primary foundation for their families' livelihood and employment. On Tuesday, a massive Mahapanchayat was convened at the protest site, drawing a substantial turnout of farmers, village Sarpanches, Numberdars, and prominent citizens from surrounding villages. To ensure law and order, a contingency of Haryana Police has pitched tents on site, while the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has also been monitoring the unfolding situation. Demonstrators have unequivocally affirmed that their agitation will persist until full legal justice and compensation rights are rendered.
Land Ownership Claims Rooted in 1908 Settlement Records
Jamman Choudhary, a permanent resident of Sotai village, shared crucial insights into the historical land documentation and revenue records governing the disputed site. He stated that the land currently under conflict is formally recorded in the land settlement archives dating back to 1908-1909. Furthermore, villagers maintain possession of land consolidation records from the year 1954. During the 1954 consolidation process, the complete administrative files rested with the Collector, during which official land inspection (girdawari) was conducted. Within the revenue records, the Thok Samlat Khatauni comprises 16 distinct accounts specifying exact land holdings, Kila numbers, Mustateen details, and individual farmer names. Although the names of the farmers were omitted from the 1955-56 Jamabandi registers due to administrative procedures, the records were updated to explicitly include the farmers' names in the 1962-63 Jamabandi following the return of files from the Collector's office. Grounded in the 1962-63 Jamabandi entries and the 1908-1909 settlement records, the local farmers establish their legitimate claim over both ownership and physical possession of the land. Consequently, villagers question how title over these recorded lands was transferred to the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF).
Two-Year Retention of Compensation Funds and Court Transfers
Major discrepancies have emerged regarding the processing and disbursement of financial compensation for the acquired land. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) transferred the complete compensation funds to the Nodal Officer of Faridabad in the year 2022. Disbursements commenced in 2022, but administrative authorities restricted payments exclusively to plots classified as private proprietary holdings ('Milkiyat'). Funds associated with land recorded under 'Samlat Thok Jatan Hasm' were withheld, despite local farmers maintaining both physical possession and claimed title over these parcels. Highlighting delays by the District Revenue Officer (DRO), Jamman Choudhary revealed that the DRO retained the allocated compensation money for two years, from 2022 until 2024. Subsequently, the funds were quietly deposited with the civil court without prior formal notice to the affected farmers. Villagers only learned of the court deposit approximately 6 months after the transfer had taken place. When the judicial court requested the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) to produce title documents proving ownership over the disputed land, MCF representatives stated they possessed no documentary evidence and had merely acted upon a letter issued by the DRO. Similarly, the DRO failed to submit authoritative documentation verifying municipal ownership of the property.
Administrative Position and Warnings Regarding National Infrastructure
Addressing the ongoing crisis, Mayank Bhardwaj outlined the administrative perspective and legal framework surrounding the project. He emphasized that the ongoing construction forms an integral segment of the Jewar Airport expressway, classified as a strategic national project. According to Mayank Bhardwaj, because the ownership rights over the disputed parcels remain sub-judice, NHAI proactively deposited the corresponding compensation funds with the court. Once the judiciary resolves the ownership dispute, the designated legal owner will receive the full compensation directly through court procedure. He maintained that since the compensation capital stands deposited with the judiciary, halting work on a national project is legally impermissible and unwarranted. Infrastructure development must proceed without interruption. Obstructing national highway construction by organizing unauthorized sit-ins is unlawful, and administrative warnings have been issued that legal actions may be initiated against individuals disrupting public works. Despite these warnings, the residents of Sotai village remain stationed at the site, demanding clear revenue verification and immediate resolution.
