In Brief
The Supreme Court heard appeals concerning the acquisition of 42 acres of land in Bangalore for a marketing yard. The acquisition suffered from statutory defects including improper newspaper publication and inadequate consideration of objections, and there was uncertainty about whether all procedural timelines were met. Rather than quashing the acquisition, the High Court had shifted the valuation date to award fair compensation. The Court upheld this approach, holding that where acquisition serves legitimate public interest, non-compliance need not be fatal. Quashing would merely allow a fresh notification with potentially higher compensation due to rising land prices. Therefore, modulating relief through adjusted valuation was the preferable course, balancing landowner rights against practical consequences. All appeals were dismissed."
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