#lapse of acquisition

Bombay HC rules that land acquisition proceedings automatically lapse under Section 11A of the 1894 Act if no award is declared within two years, even if the land is later developed. The owner retains rights under the Right to Fair Compensation Act 2013, reinforcing constitutional protections under Article 300-A against procedural delays.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that the mere passage of time does not invalidate land acquisition proceedings under Section 24(2) of the LARR Act, 2013, provided compensation has been paid and physical possession transferred to the acquiring authority. This clarifies a critical ambiguity for state agencies and landowners alike, reinforcing that procedural compliance, not chronological delay, determines the validity of acquisition. The dismissal of all 15 writ petitions sets a binding precedent for similar cases across the state.