A.V. PAPAYYA SASTRY vs GOVT. OF A.P. .

The Supreme Court addressed appeals concerning the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 and the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Court held that the provisions of the Ceiling Act do not apply to land for which possession was already handed over prior to the Act's enforcement, establishing that landowners can be declared 'non-surplus land holders' under Section 10 of the Ceiling Act. The Court upheld the High Court's directive for the authorities to complete acquisition proceedings within the stipulated period, reinforcing the importance of timely action in land acquisition matters.