In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that subsequent purchasers, assignees, and power-of-attorney holders have locus standi to seek a declaration that land acquisition proceedings have lapsed under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. The Court held that while earlier law barred such persons from challenging acquisition proceedings, the 2013 Act's wider definition of 'person interested' and its retrospective lapse provision operate differently. A declaration of lapse is not a challenge to the acquisition but an invocation of the 2013 Act's protective mechanism. The encumbrance created in the State's favour ceases upon lapse, restoring property rights. The Court dismissed the appeals and allowed the Government six months to reinitiate acquisition proceedings."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.