COLLECTOR OF LAND ACQUISITION . vs M/S. ANDAMAN TIMBER INDUSTRIES

The Supreme Court addressed the application for modification of a previous order regarding land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Court held that the respondent, as a licensee under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation, 1966, does not qualify as an 'interested person' under Section 3(b) of the L.A. Act, thus affirming the government's authority to acquire the land without compensation to the licensee. The Court emphasized the government's absolute vesting of land under Section 38(1) of the Regulation, 1966, reinforcing the legal principle that licenses do not confer ownership rights.