LAXMI CHAND vs GRAM PANCHAYAT KARARIA .

The Supreme Court held that the Land Acquisition Officer retains jurisdiction to make an award under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, even if acquisition proceedings were previously dropped, provided no formal withdrawal notification under Section 48 was published. The Court emphasized that the special procedure under the Act is designed to facilitate public purpose land acquisition, and the civil court's jurisdiction to entertain suits is subject to the provisions of the Act. The Court dismissed the special leave petition, affirming the validity of the acquisition process.