In Brief
The Delhi Development Authority appealed against a High Court judgment that declared land acquisition proceedings lapsed under the 2013 Act. The High Court had held the proceedings lapsed because no physical possession was taken, despite the Land Acquisition Collector's affidavit stating possession was taken on 21 March 2007. The Supreme Court held that under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act, proceedings lapse only when neither possession nor compensation was provided for five years before the Act came into force. Since possession was taken through a panchnama and possession report, the proceedings did not lapse. The Court quashed the High Court's order and allowed the appeal.
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