Introduction:

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court delivered a significant judgment emphasizing the citizen’s right to property and fair compensation in land acquisition cases. The case involved a contempt petition against the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) regarding compensation for land acquisition, highlighting broader issues of state responsibility and citizen rights.

Arguments:

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing GDA officials, argued that the authorities hadn’t violated any court orders and emphasized the benefits accrued to petitioners under the Right to Fair Compensation Act. Conversely, Senior Advocate Dama Sheshadri Naidu contended that the compensation awarded was inadequate and violated procedural norms under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act.

Court’s Judgment:

The Supreme Court, while dismissing the contempt petition, noted concerns over the delay in recognizing the land’s true nature and the subsequent compensation. It criticized the state’s approach of depriving citizens of land use for years and then offering compensation as “unacceptable.” Emphasizing the constitutional right to property under Article 300A, the court directed a fair adjudication of compensation challenges within six months.