The Hon'ble Supreme Court has passed a judgement on Civil Appeal No. 8942/2019.
The case pertained to the interpretation of Section 24 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The Court held that the provision of Section 24(2) of the Act, which bars re-opening of land acquisition proceedings after five years, is not applicable to acquisitions made under the earlier Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
The judgement will have a significant impact on land acquisition cases that were pending for years.
The Court also held that the compensation awarded under the 1894 Act cannot be taken into account while determining the compensation under the 2013 Act.
The judgement is expected to provide relief to landowners who were not adequately compensated under the 1894 Act.
The Court also clarified that the compensation awarded under the 2013 Act must be just and fair, and should not be less than the market value of the land.