In Brief
The Government of Andhra Pradesh challenged a land allotment to Andhra Prabha Publications, a newspaper, claiming the land (Survey No. 129/45/D, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad) was wrongfully transferred. After years of litigation and conflicting survey reports, the Supreme Court, noting the authorities' reluctance to surrender valuable land and bad-faith compliance with judicial directions, invoked Article 142 to declare the actual location of Survey No. 129/45/D and ordered the land returned to the petitioners. The Government was further ordered to refund all amounts paid by the Publications with 6% simple interest.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.