UNION OF INDIA vs MUKESH HANS

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, determining that the Lt. Governor of Delhi failed to apply his mind regarding the necessity to dispense with the inquiry under Section 5A of the Act. The Court upheld the High Court's finding that the Lt. Governor was unaware of a prior lapsed acquisition attempt for the same land, leading to a vitiated decision. Consequently, the appeals by the Union of India and others were dismissed, affirming the High Court's ruling.