In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the property purchases made by different government agencies in Delhi between 1957 and 2006, opening the door for the completion of important infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital. The Land Acquisition Act of 1894 was used to accomplish the acquisitions, but landowners had objected to them.
The decision, which was rendered on May 17 by a bench made up of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan, Dipankar Datta, and Surya Kant, reverses an earlier Delhi High Court ruling that had stated the acquisitions had expired. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013, which included additional provisions, was the impetus behind the high court’s ruling.
Nonetheless, the supreme court acknowledged arguments highlighting the negative effect on the public interest in the event that the acquisitions were declared void due to late filing of appeals. In its 113-page decision, the bench stated that “the effect of non-condonation of delay would go beyond mere financial loss to the exchequer, and instead extend to the public at large.”
The court acknowledged that a large number of newly acquired sites were already being used for vital public services, such as metro extension, schools, and hospitals. Reversing the acquisitions would require collecting paid compensation, which may put an end to ongoing initiatives and cause major disruptions.
The court said, “Problematically, in many cases, the development projects might also have to be undone,” underscoring the impracticability of starting such an endeavour.
Crucially, the Supreme Court made it clear that landowners may still pursue appropriate recompense under the 1894 Act, including interest and other statutory advantages.
In addition, the court addressed certain situations in which landowners were accused of fraud, and it ordered the Delhi High Court to form a special bench to handle these matters quickly. The court extended the deadline for starting new acquisition procedures under the 2013 Act by one year in cases where the government had neither taken possession nor paid compensation.
The Delhi Development Authority, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation can now move forward with their long-stalled projects thanks to this historic ruling.
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has upheld land acquisitions made in Delhi between 1957 and 2006, removing a major legal hurdle for key infrastructure and urban development projects in the capital. The decision ensures that land acquired under previous notifications remains legally valid, paving the way for long-pending transport, housing, and civic infrastructure projects.
Key Ruling and Its Implications
- The Supreme Court ruled that land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for public projects remains valid despite challenges from private claimants and legal disputes.
- Several individuals and organizations had contested.
- The compensation process, seeking ownership rights over lands that had been earmarked for public purposes.The ruling clears uncertainty over crucial land parcels, allowing Delhi’s government and development agencies to move ahead with stalled projects.
Impact on Delhi’s Infrastructure
- Metro and road expansion – Projects that were delayed due to land disputes, including metro extensions and expressways, will now proceed without legal roadblocks.
- Affordable housing and urban renewal – The decision strengthens efforts to develop housing projects and slum rehabilitation programs.
- Civic and public utilities – Land earmarked for hospitals, schools, and water infrastructure will now be utilized without further legal obstructions.
The ruling is seen as a boost to Delhi’s urban planning efforts, providing much-needed clarity on land ownership. With legal disputes now settled, authorities can fast-track critical infrastructure projects, ensuring smoother urban development.
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Construction, Infrastructure and Mining
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