Maharashtra government likely to refund ₹9 crore to Shah Rukh Khan over Mannat land deal
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is expected to approve actor Shah Rukh Khan's petition for a refund of ₹9 crore, which he claims was overpaid to the Mumbai Suburban District (MSD) collector for the land on which his residence, ‘Mannat,’ is situated.
The iconic bungalow, located at Band Stand, Bandra West, is jointly owned by Shah Rukh Khan and his wife, Gauri Khan. The land was originally leased by the state government to its previous owner, who later sold it to the Khans. Before the transfer, the state, being the original titleholder, levied unearned income based on the difference between the market price and the ready reckoner price.
In March 2019, the Khans opted to convert the leased property (Class 2) into freehold ownership (Class 1) under a state policy. They paid 25% of the ready reckoner price, amounting to approximately ₹27.50 crore. However, an error in the calculation of the conversion fee reportedly occurred, with the authorities basing the fee on the value of the bungalow instead of the land.
This discrepancy was identified by the Khans in September 2022. Following this, Gauri Khan submitted a representation to the MSD collector, requesting a refund of the excess amount. The collector forwarded the request to the state government for approval.
Sources indicate that the government is likely to grant the refund. If approved, the Khans will receive ₹9 crore as reimbursement for the overpayment.
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Allahabad HC dismisses petition seeking permission to mount loudspeaker on mosque
Prayagraj, Jan 24 (PTI): The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition seeking direction to the state authorities to permit the mounting of loudspeakers on a Masjid.
The court observed that the religious places were for offering prayers, therefore the use of loudspeakers was not a matter of right.
Dismissing the writ petition filed by Pilibhit-resident Mukhtiyar Ahmad, a two judge-bench, comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh, observed, "Religious places are for offering prayers to the divinity and use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a matter of right, particularly when often such use of loudspeakers create nuisance for the residents".
At the outset, the state counsel objected to the maintainability of the writ on the grounds that the petitioner was neither a mutawalli, nor did the mosque belong to him.
The court also noted that the petitioner did not have locus to file the writ petition.
The term 'locus' is a legal concept that refers to the right of a person or entity to participate in a legal proceeding or bring a lawsuit.
