In Brief
A man bought land after the government issued a notice of acquisition under the old Land Acquisition Act, 1894. He later claimed that the government never took full physical possession, so the acquisition had lapsed under the newer 2013 Act, and he wanted the land back with higher compensation. The Supreme Court rejected this claim. The Court held that anyone who buys land after the government's acquisition notice is issued gets no legal title—the sale is void. Such a buyer cannot challenge the acquisition or claim it has lapsed under the 2013 Act. The Court also rejected claims based on power-of-attorney and informal transfer documents, noting these do not create legal ownership. The 2013 Act's benefits—higher compensation, rehabilitation—are only for the original owners recorded at acquisition time, not later buyers.
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