In Brief
Delhi Development Authority challenged a High Court order allowing a purchaser's writ petition seeking declaration that land acquisition proceedings had lapsed under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. The original landowner had purchased the land in 1990-91, after the High Court had quashed Section 6 notification in an earlier judgment, but later abandoned the challenge. The Court held that once possession is taken by panchnama, vesting of title in the Government is complete and irreversible; subsequent purchasers cannot revive abandoned challenges. The dual condition for lapse—neither possession taken nor compensation paid—was not satisfied. The Court overruled the High Court's decision and set aside the impugned order, though ordered refund of the deposited amount.
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