SMT. SOMAVANTI AND OTHERS vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS(And Connected Petitions)

The Supreme Court ruled that the acquisition of land under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, specifically Sections 4, 5A, and 6, must be for a genuine public purpose, and not merely for the benefit of a private entity. The Court held that the government's notification under Section 4 was invalid as it did not substantiate the claim of public purpose, thereby violating Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners' challenge to the acquisition was upheld, leading to the quashing of the government's notifications.