Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Sri. Udaya Holla, Senior Counsel a/w Miss. Desiree.
For the Respondents: Sri. B.V. Acharya, Sri. B.L. Acharya, Senior Counsels & Special Counsels a/w Sri. R. Srinivasa Gowda, AGA, Sri. A.G. Holla, Senior Counsel a/w Sri. K. Chandrnath Ariga and Sri. Nandeesh.

Based on the provided legal document, the question of land acquisition without compensation is addressed within the framework of constitutional and statutory provisions. The document indicates that, generally, the law recognizes that the acquisition of private property for public purpose necessitates the payment of compensation, and this obligation is embedded in the constitutional guarantee of the right to property, particularly under Article 300A. It emphasizes that, in principle, no land can be taken without providing just and adequate compensation, and the absence of compensation or a determination of illusory compensation could render such acquisition unconstitutional.

However, the document also clarifies that the constitutional guarantee of compensation is not absolute and that, in certain exceptional circumstances, the State may acquire property without compensation. These extreme cases are usually justified only when the legislation is enacted for a public purpose, and the measure is not confiscatory in nature. The determination of what constitutes a public purpose is primarily a legislative function, and courts generally exercise limited review, primarily scrutinizing whether the purpose is primarily public and whether the legislation is enacted in good faith.

Furthermore, the document discusses that the normative determination of compensation, as prescribed by the legislation, may be considered sufficient and not necessarily require market-value assessment. It also notes that the State’s power to acquire property for public purposes is broad, and the requirement of compensation can be waived only in extraordinary situations where the measure is not intended to benefit private interests but to serve a public purpose.

In summary, land acquisition without compensation is typically impermissible unless it falls within narrowly defined exceptional circumstances where the law is enacted for a clear public purpose, and the measure is not confiscatory. In such cases, the constitutional protections may be relaxed, but only under strict scrutiny and with a strong presumption of legislative validity.