Supreme Court Overturns Arbitral Award in Land Acquisition Dispute, Calls Agreement “Fraud on Sovereign Power”
The Supreme Court set aside a 2007 arbitral award that upheld a 1988 agreement allowing the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board to return 3.5 bighas of acquired land to Bhagwan Devi. The Court ruled the agreement violated public policy and undermined the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, as the land vested absolutely with the government post-possession. The Bench termed the deal a “fraud on eminent domain”, noting its hasty execution and lack of legal sanctity.
Complete Judgment: