Dedicate Freight Corridor Corpn. Of ... vs Subodh Singh & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the validity of an award made under the Railways Act, 1989, specifically examining Section 20F(2) regarding the timeline for making such awards. The Court held that the one-year period for making the award should be calculated from the date of publication of the declaration in the official gazette, not from subsequent newspaper publications. It further clarified that the first proviso to Section 20F(2) allows for an extension of six months only if the competent authority provides written reasons for the delay, which was not done in this case. Consequently, the Court upheld the High Court's decision declaring the acquisition proceedings lapsed.