In Brief
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) appealed against a High Court order holding that land acquisition proceedings had lapsed due to non-payment of compensation to land owners. The Supreme Court confirmed that proceedings do lapse when compensation is not paid. However, recognizing the peculiar circumstances, the Court allowed the DDA six months (later clarified as one year from the judgment date) to restart acquisition proceedings under Section 24(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. If DDA fails to issue a fresh notification within this period, it must return the land to its original owners. The appeal was dismissed, but the DDA was granted this conditional opportunity to cure the defect.
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