In Brief
The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority acquired land in 1991-1992 under urgency provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. After losing twice in prior litigation, the landowners filed a third writ petition in 2004 challenging the 1996 award on grounds of delay. The High Court accepted this challenge, but the Supreme Court reversed it. The Court held that urgency-based acquisitions do not attract the Section 11A time limit for making awards; once possession is taken, the award period requirements do not apply. The third petition was barred by laches, prior judgments, and procedural law. Appeal allowed.
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