Delhi Development Authority v. S. Sohan Singh (D) Thr. L.R. and Ors.
Background
Land belonging to the original owner (by this stage represented by his legal representative) had been acquired by DDA long ago, but DDA never took physical possession despite no stay being in force. The landowner's side obtained a finding below that the acquisition had lapsed under the 2013 land acquisition law, prompting DDA's appeal.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court held that the issue of principle stood covered against DDA by its earlier ruling in Civil Appeal No.8477 of 2016 (arising out of SLP(C) No.8467 of 2015), and dismissed the appeal. As in the companion appeals, the Court granted DDA a one-year window from the date of the order to initiate fresh acquisition proceedings by issuing a fresh Section 11 notification under the 2013 Act, failing which DDA, if in possession, would have to return physical possession to the original landowner.
Lesson Learnt
Delay in taking possession after acquiring land is not a mere technicality; under the 2013 Act it can cause the entire acquisition to lapse, forcing the authority to restart the process from scratch.