In Brief
The Supreme Court clarified its 2018 judgment on fraudulent land acquisition in Manesar, Haryana. The Court held that "transfer" of land is not limited to formal title conveyance; it includes collaboration agreements and development licenses issued during the suspect period (27 August 2004 to 29 January 2010) where developers acquired possession and developmental rights in exchange for substantial consideration. Lands covered by such agreements form part of a deemed award vesting in HSIIDC, unless specific financial conditions are met. The Court protected third-party allottees who invested and obtained possession or registered deeds; HSIIDC must validate their titles within six months. Where construction was incomplete, HSIIDC refunds verified amounts with interest. HSIIDC assumes all unsold units and unallotted land, bound by Master Plan and zoning regulations. The judgment also directed reference courts to conclude pending acquisition proceedings within one year.
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