In Brief
Landowners challenged the prolonged temporary acquisition of their property by ONGC for over 26 years at minimal compensation (Rs. 30/sq m per annum). The Supreme Court held that temporary acquisition cannot continue indefinitely as it violates the constitutional right to hold property under Article 300A and renders the land unusable. While acknowledging ONGC's undertaking to complete permanent acquisition, the Court enforced the High Court's order directing acquisition within 12 months from April 2022, with the warning that failure would attract legal consequences. The Court upheld the High Court's direction to consider enhanced rent aligned with market rates.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.