In Brief
The Union of India requisitioned agricultural land in Bangalore belonging to B.K. Ravichandra and others under the Defence of India Act 1962, later converted to requisition under the 1952 Act. After the requisition period ended in 1987, the Union refused to return the land, claiming it had been acquired. Multiple arbitrations and court proceedings consistently found no valid acquisition had occurred. The Supreme Court held that requisitioning is temporary and cannot continue indefinitely. Since the Union had no legal authority to occupy the lands after 1987, it must vacate and restore possession within three months. The appellants are also entitled to fresh compensation based on current land values for the period after 2000, to be determined by arbitration.
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