In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether a landowner could file a reference for enhanced compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 after pursuing legal challenges that were dismissed. The Court held that when the High Court reserves liberty to pursue such remedies while dismissing a writ petition, a subsequent reference cannot be rejected as barred by limitation if filed within six months of the special leave petition's dismissal. The Court set aside the Reference Court and High Court orders and remitted the matter for decision on merits on compensation adequacy, directing disposal within nine months.
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