Land acquisition does not lapse under Section 24(2) if possession has been taken and compensation remains unpaid, emphasizing the need for clear ownership to claim relief.

JUDGMENT

Manmohan, J. (Oral):

CM APPL. 13525/2021 (Exemption)

Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

W.P. (C) No. 4420/2021 & CM APPL. 13524/2021 (Stay)

1. Present writ has been filed challenging the acquisition proceedings by respondents in respect of petitioner's land admeasuring 77 bigha 08 biswa situated at Khasra No. (0-06), Revenue Estate of Village Basai Darapur, New Delhi under the LAND ACQUISITION ACT , 1894.

2. Learned Counsel for the Petitioner submits that the above acquisition has lapsed in view of Section 24 (2) of The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Re-settlement Act. He states that the award in respect of the land of the petitioner was made in the year 1997. He, however emphasises that, till date, neither the compensation amount has been paid to the petitioner or the other co-owners under Section 31 (1) of the LAND ACQUISITION ACT , 1894 nor has it been deposited in the Court as mandated under Section 31 (2) of the said Act.

3. He states that the present petition has been filed in view of the leave granted by the learned predecessor Division Bench vide order dated 20th November, 2018 in WP (C) No. 4546/2015.

4. Learned counsel for the respondents, who appear on advance notice, state that the petitioner is not the owner of the land in question as he has no title deed in his favour. They state that the physical possession of the land was taken over from the petitioner long time back.

5. A perusal of the aforesaid Division Bench judgment and order dated 20th November 2018 reveals that the Court refused to entertain the said writ petitions on the ground that the petitioners had failed to establish their clear right/interest/share in the land in question on the basis of the documents produced. The said rationale applies to the present writ petition also. This Court is further of the opinion that no relief can be granted in present writ petition as petitioner's title has not been admitted by the respondent/LAC. Also, the LAND ACQUISITION ACT prescribes a special procedure to be adopted for claiming compensation where title of the parties is not admitted.

6. This Court is also of the view that the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in Indore Development Authority vs. Manoharlal and others (2020) 8 SCC 129, has held that acquisition of land will lapse only if two conditions are fulfilled cumulatively, i.e. (i) possession of land has not been taken over, and (ii) compensation amount has not been paid or deposited or tendered with the LAC. The relevant portion of the Constitution Bench judgment in Indore Development Authority (supra) is reproduced hereinbelow:

"In re Issue 6 : Whether Section 24 revives stale and barred claim