AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS

Judgment text excerpt

$~4 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of Decision: 24th March, 2025 + LPA 269/2016 & CM APPL. 48601/2019 AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA .....Appellant Through: Mr. Ajit Kr. Sinha, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Ashwarya Sinha, Mr. Aditya Malhotra and Mr. Naveen Soni, Advocates (Mob. 8587808613). versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS .....Respondents Through: Mr Shivam Singh and Mr Ishwar Singh, Advocates for R-3 (Mob. 9602425161). CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUSTICE RAJNEESH KUMAR GUPTA Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral) 1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode. 2. The present appeal is the result of a legacy dispute between the Airport Authority of India ( hereinafter, ‘AAI’) and the Union of India (‘UOI’) in respect of land measuring 2.0524 acres, which was initially allotted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (hereinafter, ‘DGCA’) in 1985. 3. The said land was located in the Vasant Vihar area. The National Airport Authority of India (hereinafter, ‘NAAI’), which was the predecessor Signature Not Verified Signed By:MANJEET LPA 269/2016 Page 1 of 7 KAUR Signing Date:25.03.2025 18:57:58 of the AAI, was formed in June, 1986 and had paid a consideration of Rs. 16,41,920/- to the Respondent No. 1. The land was taken over by NAAI on 31st March, 1987 after payment of the consideration amount. Finally, the possession of the said land was given on 01st February, 1990. 4. The said land measuring 2.0524 acres in the Vasant Vihar area was allotted to the AAI for the purpose of construction of 120 dwelling units for officials of the AAI in the form of a residential complex. 5. The said allotment was cancelled by the Respondent No.1 vide letter dated 11th September, 2002, prior to the commencement of the construction of the said dwelling units. 6. According to the Appellant