In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the quashing of land acquisition proceedings initiated by the Urban Improvement Trust, Rajasthan under the RUI Act, 1959. The Court held that the right to property under Article 300A cannot be brushed aside merely due to delay in challenging the acquisition. Procedural safeguards—mandatory individual notice to all landowners and timely payment of compensation within six months of the Amendment Act, 1987—must be strictly followed. For one parcel (Moongaska land), the Court found improper notice deprived some owners of the right to be heard. For another (Nangli Kota land), compensation was deposited 12 years late, breaching Section 60A(4) and Section 52(7) which requires payment before transfer of possession. The Court dismissed the appeals and upheld the High Court's judgment.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.