Maharashtra farmer wins Rs 10000000 for one tree, took help from YouTube to identify… railway to pay…

This unique case shows the importance of fair compensation for landowners and also the value of red sandalwood.

The Central Railway was ordered by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court to deposit Rs 1 crore as interim compensation for a 100-year-old red sandalwood tree on a farmer’s land. The railway followed HC’s order, and deposited money on April 9, 2025, the High Court permitted the farmer to withdraw Rs 50 lakh from the deposited amount, reported BBC Marathi.

This case, fought by a farmer from Maharashtra is a unique legal battle for fair compensation for the red sandalwood tree.

What Was Red Sandalwood Tree Case?

Keshav Shinde, a farmer from Kharsi village in Yavatmal district, and his five sons filed a petition in the High Court on October 7, 2024. The petition was to demand compensation for a red sandalwood tree and other assets impacted by land acquisition for the Wardha-Yavatmal-Pusad-Nanded railway line project.

Shinde owns 2.29 hectares of farmland in Pusad taluka. A portion of this land was acquired by the Central Railway for the railway line, and he was compensated for the land. However, Shinde also demanded compensation for the red sandalwood tree and other trees like khair.

The railway authorities told them they need to evaluate the red sandalwood tree’s value. A request for valuation was made to the Forest Department.

How YouTube Helped Farmer?

The Shinde family’s lawyer, Anjana Raut Narwade, noted that the tree’s valuation could increase the compensation to nearly Rs 5 crore. A committee involving Forest Department officials and other experts will determine the tree’s final value.

Keshav Shinde, aged 94, and his sons learned about the red sandalwood tree on their land during a survey by railway officials, some of whom were originally from Andhra Pradesh. They identified the tree as red sandalwood and advised the family about its high value.

The Shindes conducted their own research using YouTube and consulted experts, confirming the tree’s identity. They then demanded appropriate compensation through the legal process.

According to Punjab Shinde, Keshav Shinde’s son and one of the petitioners, their farmland included mango orchards and other fruit-bearing trees for which compensation was paid. However, the compensation for the red sandalwood tree and pipeline was denied. From 2014 onwards, the Shinde family followed up with the district collector, Forest Department, Railways, and Irrigation Department, but no action was taken.

After eight years of fighting, the Shindes approached the High Court and started a legal battle.

Compensation of Rs 1 Crore

The High Court ruled in favor of the Shindes and asked  the railway to deposit Rs 1 crore as interim compensation for the red sandalwood tree. The railway deposited the amount with the court. The Shindes have been allowed to withdraw Rs 50 lakh, with the remaining amount subject to further valuation.