Haryana Urban Development Authority v. Kundan @ Ghasi (D) Through L.Rs. & Ors.
Background
This was a batch of three connected civil appeals filed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) against a High Court judgment relating to acquired land, which had made observations about the "life" of certain structures on the land. At the hearing, HUDA's Land Acquisition Officer appeared in person and offered that HUDA would inspect the premises and, if the structures were covered by applicable government policy, release double the constructed area to the affected landowners.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court recorded HUDA's undertaking and directed it to take the necessary steps on this basis within two months, explicitly instructing that this be done without being influenced by the High Court's observations on the structures' life/condition. On the strength of this direction, all three connected appeals were disposed of with no order as to costs.
Lesson Learnt
Government land authorities can resolve long-running compensation disputes by making concrete, time-bound commitments in court, and once such an undertaking is recorded, the Supreme Court will hold the authority to it independent of what the lower court said.