Mulchand Khanumal Khatri vs State Of Gujarat & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the Gujarat High Court erred in its interpretation of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which mandates that an award must be made within two years from the date of the declaration under Section 6. The Court clarified that the period does not restart upon the receipt of a certified copy of the judgment vacating interim relief, and thus the award made after the two-year period was invalid. The Court set aside the High Court's decision and ruled in favor of the appellant, declaring the acquisition proceedings lapsed.