MAHAVIR vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court addressed the validity of land acquisition awards under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in light of Section 24(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The Court held that if an award under Section 11 has been made five years prior and compensation has not been paid, the acquisition proceedings are deemed to have lapsed. The petitioners, claiming rights as Gair Morusi tenants, were entitled to compensation, and the Court restrained the government from creating third-party interests in the land, affirming the illegality of the previous awards.