UOI vs GANDIBA BEHERA

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 49(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, emphasizing that the provision mandates the acquisition of land must be for a public purpose and not merely for the benefit of a private entity. The Court held that failure to comply with this requirement renders the acquisition invalid. The judgment reinforced the principle that land acquisition must adhere strictly to statutory provisions to protect the rights of landowners.