M/S. ROYAL ORCHID HOTELS LTD vs G. JAYARAMA REDDY .

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of land acquisition under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for a public purpose, specifically a Golf-cum-Hotel Resort, and whether the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation could transfer the acquired land to private entities. The Court held that the transfer of acquired land to private individuals was impermissible as it contravened the public purpose requirement, thereby quashing the High Court's judgment that had previously upheld the acquisition. The ruling emphasized that land acquired for a specific public purpose must not be diverted for private use, reinforcing the principle of public interest in land acquisition.