Case: Delhi Development Authority Vs. Islamuddin

Kurian, J.1. Leave granted.2. The appellant - Delhi Development Authority is aggrieved by the Judgment dated 22.12.2014 passed by the High Court of Delhi, whereby the High Court declared that the acquisition proceedings in question have lapsed on account of operation of Section 24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (in short, "2013 Act").3. In the case before us, the High Court has taken note of the fact that the compensation has never been paid to the owners. Be that as it may, the main contention urged is that the writ petitioner has no locus standi to file a Writ Petition for the declaration that the proceedings have lapsed.4. Heavy reliance is placed on a decision of this Court in Star Wire (India) Ltd. v. State of Haryana and Others, reported in (1996) 11 SCC 698. It was a case where the land acquisition proceedings were initiated under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (in short, "1894 Act"). The Notification was issued on 01.06.1976. Section 6 Declaration was published on 16.02.1977 and the Award was passed on 03.07.1981. Section 18 Reference had also become final. Thereafter, the Writ Petition was filed on 21.01.1994. The Writ Petitioner therein contended that he was the person who had purchased the property after the Section 4(1) Notification was issued. In that context, it was held that "Any encumbrance created by the erstwhile owner of the land after publication of the notification under Section 4(1) does not bind the State if the possession of the land is already taken over, after the award came to be passed." It was also held that such a purchaser does not acquire any valid title and in such circumstances, it was held that those subsequent purchasers have no right to challenge the acquisition proceedings, much less the Award.5. Under the Delhi Lands (Restrictions on Transfer) Act, 1972, restriction on transfer is only after the Declaration under Section 6(1) of the 1894 Act is published. There is also a prohibition under Section 3 which pertains to transfer of land already acquired by Central Government. What is relevant is Section 4, which reads as follows :-"4. Regulation on transfer of lands in relation to which acquisition proceedings have been initiated - No person shall, except with the previous permission in writing of the competent authority, transfer or purport to transfer by sale, mortgage, gift, lease or otherwise any land or part thereof situated in the Union Territory of Delhi, which is proposed to be acquired in connection with the Scheme and in relation to which a declaration to the effect that such land or part thereof is needed for a public purpose having been made by the Central Government under section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the Central Government has not withdrawn from the acquisition under section 48 of that Act."6. Section 9 deals with penalty for contravention of the provisions of Section 3 or Section 4. Therefore, under the statutory scheme, the restriction on transfer is only after publication of Notification under Section 6 of the 1894 Act. Being a special law as far as Delhi is concerned, this will, in no case, prevail over any other general law on restriction on transfer after initiation of acquisition proceedings.7. In the instant case, the property is situated in Delhi and the contention of the appellant on locus standi is based on the alleged void transfer after initiation of the land acquisition proceedings. Such transfers would be void in Delhi only in case the same is made after the declaration under Section 6(1). In the instant case, the transfer is prior to Section 6(1) declaration, though after Section 4(1). Therefore, there is no merit in the contention advanced by the appellant that the writ petitioners did not have any locus standi to challenge the land acquisition.8. The writ petitioner approached the High Court contending that neither the compensation was paid nor the possession taken and hence, sought for a declaration under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. The benefit under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act is available in the event of two circumstances - (i) The compensation has not been paid though the Award has been passed under the provisions of the 1894 Act prior to 01.01.2014; (ii) Despite passing an Award and payment of compensation, possession had not been taken five years prior to 01.01.2014. As far as the compensation part is concerned, there is no dispute that the same has not been paid. Hence, the writ petitioner is entitled to have the declaration under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. Since the respondent cannot be non-suited on the ground that he has no locus standi, there is no merit in the appeal and it is, accordingly, dismissed.9. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the appellant is given a period of one year to exercise its liberty granted under Section 24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for initiation of the acquisition proceedings afresh.

Decision reasoning: 1[ds]7. In the instant case, the property is situated in Delhi and the contention of the appellant on locus standi is based on the alleged void transfer after initiation of the land acquisition proceedings. Such transfers would be void in Delhi only in case the same is made after the declaration under Section 6(1). In the instant case, the transfer is prior to Section 6(1) declaration, though after Section 4(1). Therefore, there is no merit in the contention advanced by the appellant that the writ petitioners did not have any locus standi to challenge the land acquisition.8. The writ petitioner approached the High Court contending that neither the compensation was paid nor the possession taken and hence, sought for a declaration under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. The benefit under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act is available in the event of two circumstances - (i) The compensation has not been paid though the Award has been passed under the provisions of the 1894 Act prior to 01.01.2014; (ii) Despite passing an Award and payment of compensation, possession had not been taken five years prior to 01.01.2014. As far as the compensation part is concerned, there is no dispute that the same has not been paid. Hence, the writ petitioner is entitled to have the declaration under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. Since the respondent cannot be non-suited on the ground that he has no locus standi, there is no merit in the appeal and it is, accordingly, dismissed.9. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the appellant is given a period of one year to exercise its liberty granted under Section 24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for initiation of the acquisition proceedings afresh.