RELIANCE PETROLEUM vs ZAVERCHAND POPATLAL SUMARIA

The Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat High Court's decision to quash the notification under Section 4(1) and declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, citing non-compliance with Rule 3 and Rule 4 of the Land Acquisition (Companies) Rules, 1969, and violation of Section 5A which mandates a hearing for affected parties. The Court emphasized that the writ petitioners' delay in challenging the notification undermined their position, but the High Court's findings on procedural lapses were deemed valid. Consequently, the appeals by the State of Gujarat and Reliance Petroleum Limited were dismissed, affirming the High Court's order.