THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER GOSIKHURD PROJECT AMBADI (BHANDARA) vs MAHESH

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 24(1)(a) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, particularly regarding the applicable time limits for awards under the repealed Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The court determined that the twelve-month period specified in the 2013 Act applies to awards made under Section 24(1) and not the two-year period from the 1894 Act. The court also examined the validity of an award dated October 30, 2014, considering whether it was backdated or manipulated, ultimately ruling on the timeliness of the acquisition proceedings.