RAJINDER KISHAN GUPTA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 08.09.2009 passed by the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in W.P. (C) No. 9647 of 2009 whereby the High Court dismissed the petition filed by the appellants herein.

(3.) Brief facts: A notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") was issued on 24.10.1961 to acquire vast chunk of agricultural land for the planned development of Delhi including the lands of the appellants herein situated in Village Mehrauli. A declaration under Section 6 of the Act in respect of the said land was issued on 04.01.1969. Notices were issued by the Collector under Section 9 of the Act on 26.04.1983, after a lapse of almost 22 years from the date of Notification published under Section 4(1) of the Act. Thereafter, objections and claims were filed by the appellants on 23.05.1983. Challenging the validity of the acquisition proceedings, the appellants filed W.P. (C) No. 1129 of 1983 and other members of the family also filed W.P.(C) No. 1131 of 1983 before the High Court. The High Court, vide its order dated 25.05.1983, issued notice and directed to maintain status quo as on that date.