A 53-year-old farmer from Raipur has approached the Supreme Court, claiming that land on which the terminal building and gardens of Swami Vivekananda Airport stand belongs to his family and seeking nearly ₹3,500 crore in compensation, according to a report by Dainik Bhaskar.
The petitioner, Ashwani Bandhe, has claimed that the land was taken by the British government during World War II for military purposes on a temporary basis and was supposed to be returned after the war ended. He has reportedly been pursuing the matter for 35 years.
According to the report, the Chhattisgarh High Court earlier this year ordered a fresh inquiry into the dispute. Bandhe has, however, argued that the issue has already been examined by the competent authority and moved the Supreme Court in June 2026 seeking compensation. The apex court is yet to rule on the merits of his claim, and the matter remains pending.
Dainik Bhaskar reported that Bandhe has relied on historical land records, acquisition documents and archival material to support his case. He has also claimed that records obtained from the state culture department mention his ancestors in connection with land acquired for the wartime airfield.
The report further said Bandhe’s compensation claim includes alleged unpaid rent, interest and other dues accumulated over several decades.