In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's finding that the State of Haryana abused its land acquisition power to enable a private builder to acquire agricultural land illegally. Although the initial public purpose of acquiring land for urban development was valid, the State subsequently released the acquired land to the builder through fraudulent means, exploiting farmers facing imminent dispossession. The Court held that such abuse of eminent domain violates Articles 14, 21, and 300-A of the Constitution. Rather than quashing the entire acquisition, the Court quashed only the release orders, licences, and sale deeds favouring the builder. The land reverts to HUDA. Sale consideration paid to farmers is treated as compensation; farmers need not refund anything and may claim additional compensation or file references under the Land Acquisition Act within three months.
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