In Brief
The Government of Delhi challenged a High Court order declaring land acquisition proceedings deemed lapsed under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act. The original writ petitioner was a subsequent purchaser claiming ownership through an agreement to sell and assignment deed, not a registered sale deed. The Supreme Court held that subsequent purchasers lack standing to challenge acquisition or its lapse. Further, deemed lapse under Section 24(2) requires both that possession was not taken AND compensation was not paid for five years prior to the Act. Delays due to pending litigation must be excluded from the calculation. The Court overruled contrary precedent and quashed the High Court's order, dismissing the writ petition."
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