In Brief
A landowner challenged the constitutional validity of Section 15 of the Karnataka Highways Act, 1964, arguing that it allowed land acquisition without prior notice or hearing. The Supreme Court held that the Act is valid because meaningful opportunity for objection is provided at an earlier stage—when highway boundaries and control lines are fixed under Section 7—which substantially affects landowners' rights. Since objections can be filed at that stage, acquisition under Section 15 is a consequential step requiring no second hearing. The Court also confirmed that compensation under the State Act aligns with provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, including additional compensation and solatium. The appeal was dismissed."
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