Special Officer And Competent ... vs P.S. Rao

The Supreme Court clarified that under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act, 1976, an owner can seek exemption even after a vesting order has been passed, provided possession has not been taken. The Court upheld the Division Bench's view that an exemption order issued under Section 20(1)(a) can take effect despite a prior vesting order under Section 10(3), as long as proceedings under Chapter III are still pending. The Court did not address scenarios where possession had been taken or third-party rights were involved.