Prahlad Singh & Ors vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed whether land can be considered vested in the State under Section 16 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, despite the landowner retaining physical possession. The Court held that the acquisition process must comply with statutory provisions, including Section 5-A(1) and the National Capital Region Planning Board Act, 1985, emphasizing that land designated as Green Belt cannot be acquired for urban development. The appeal was allowed, overturning the High Court's dismissal of the writ petition challenging the acquisition.