Satpal & Ors vs.govt. Of Nct of Delhi & Ors - Court Judgment

% + THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Judgment delivered on:

20. 12.2016 W.P.(C) 9101/2014 & CM50142015 BHIM SINGH versus GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANOTHER AND ...... Petitioner

...... RESPONDENTS

…... Petitioner

....... RESPONDENTS

........ Petitioner

…Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents Page 1 of 29 + W.P.(C) 58/2015 & CM50082015 SUNIL KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 68/2015 & CM50182015 BHAGIRATH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR SATISH BHARDWAJ & ANR + W.P.(C) 240/2015 & CM112702015 + W.P.(C) 241/2015 & CM112862015 HANUMANT SINGH GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR versus versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors + W.P.(C) 242/2015 & CM112712015 SURAT SINGH versus ........ Petitioner

GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR ....... RESPONDENTS

........ Petitioner

s GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 243/2015 & CM125312015 BHUPINDER & ORS versus + W.P.(C) 244/2015 & CM112742015 SULTAN SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 245/2015 & CM112722015 SANJEEV KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 249/2015 & CM112732015 RAJESH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 256/2015 & CM112652015 MANOJ DABAS & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents Page 2 of 29 AJIT SINGH + W.P.(C) 257/2015 & CM112752015 + W.P.(C) 258/2015 & CM112852015 RAJENDER SINGH GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 261/2015 & CM112642015 SHAKTI SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 262/2015 & CM132782015 HARNAND BHARDWAJ versus + W.P.(C) 279/2015 & CM112692015 AZAD SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 291/2015 & CM112872015 BIJENDER versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 295/2015 & CM112842015 GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner versus …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 3 of 29 OM PARKASH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 296/2015 & CM112682015 RAJ PATI versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 334/2015 & CM112802015 JAI SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 336/2015 DHARAM VIR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 369/2015 & CM112902015 RAM CHANDER versus + W.P.(C) 378/2015 & CM125322015 KULDEEP SINGH & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 416/2015 & CM6962015 SATVIR SINGH versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors …Petitioner …Respondents …... Petitioner

…Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner Page 4 of 29 GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR. + W.P.(C) 417/2015 & CM6972015 NAFE SINGH …Respondents …Petitioner versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 421/2015 & CM7022015 RAJBIR & 2 ORS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DLEHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 424/2015 & CM7072015 NARAIN SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 427/2015 & CM7122015 JOGINDER SINGH versus GOVT OF NCT OF DLEHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 428/2015 & CM7132015 AJIT SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 429/2015 & CM125332015 BAL RAJ BHARDWAJ & ORS …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 5 of 29 + W.P.(C) 432/2015 & CM7162015 KULDEEP …Petitioner versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents Page 6 of 29 + W.P.(C) 437/2015 & CM7232015 SATBIR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 452/2015 & CM7532015 DHARAM VIR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 458/2015 & CM7592015 JAI SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 462/2015 & CM7662015 KRISHAN KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 463/2015 & CM7672015 SHER SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 520/2015 & CM112672015 RAVINDER KUMAR GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors + W.P.(C) 553/2015 & CM112662015 VIKAS DABAS & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1128/2015 & CM20092015 BIMLA DEVI versus …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 1136/2015 & CM20192015 JAGDISH CHANDER versus + W.P.(C) 1137/2015 & CM20202015 BABITA DABAS + W.P.(C) 1139/2015 & CM20242015 INDER JEET SINGH …Petitioner …Petitioner …Petitioner versus versus versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 1140/2015 & CM20252015 RANDHIR SINGH …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 1142/2015 & CM20282015 BALBIR SINGH …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents Versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 7 of 29 + W.P.(C) 1143/2015 & CM20292015 ANAND SINGH …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents versus + W.P.(C) 1144/2015 & CM20302015 SATISH …Petitioner versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner + W.P.(C) 1145/2015 & CM20312015 ASHOK KUMAR versus + W.P.(C) 1146/2015 & CM20322015 DHARAMVIR SINGH + W.P.(C) 1147/2015 & CM20332015 VED PRAKASH + W.P.(C) 1149/2015 & CM20362015 RAVINDER versus versus versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1150/2015 & CM20372015 JAI PARKASH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1153/2015 & CM20392015 KARTAR SINGH W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner Page 8 of 29 GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents …Petitioner versus + W.P.(C) 1154/2015 & CM20402015 AJIT SINGH versus + W.P.(C) 1155/2015 & CM20412015 DINESH DABAS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1156/2015 & CM20422015 AKSHAY versus + W.P.(C) 1160/2015 & CM20472015 AJAY versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1161/2015 & CM20482015 ARUN KUMAR versus + W.P.(C) 1162/2015 & CM20492015 SURENDER SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1170/2015 & CM20602015 RAM CHANDER …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 9 of 29 + W.P.(C) 1194/2015 & CM20892015 ARVIND versus …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 1293/2016 & CM57402016 KRISHAN KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1295/2016 & CM57422016 SATPAL versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1306/2016 & CM57522016 RAGHUVIR @ RAGHUBIR SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1374/2016 & CM59832016 RAJ MUKESH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1614/2016 & CM69982016 SASHI KUMAR & ORS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1823/2016 & CM78152016 SURENDER DAIMA @ DEEMA versus …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 10 of 29 + W.P.(C) 1852/2016 & CM79392016 SUSHIL @ SUSHEEL KUMAR DAIMA versus …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents + W.P.(C) 1853/2016 & CM79402016 YASHVIR SINGH & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1881/2016 & CM80302016 UDAY SINGH versus + W.P.(C) 1883/2016 RAM CHANDER versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 1889/2016 & CM80802016 JAI KUMAR & ORS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1892/2016 & CM80832016 RANBIR SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1893/2016 & CM80842016 JAI PAL SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 1894/2016 & CM80852016 KARTAR SINGH W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner Page 11 of 29 GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents …Petitioners …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS …Respondents versus + W.P.(C) 1898/2016 & CM80932016 ARUN KUMAR & ANR + W.P.(C) 1905/2016 & CM81472016 DAISY GOEL versus versus + W.P.(C) 1906/2016 & CM81482016 AMIT DABAS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2075/2016 & CM89172016 BHARAT versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2079/2016 & CM89252016 AMIT @ AMIT DABAS & ORS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2080/2016 & CM89262016 RAKESH KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2083/2016 & CM89312016 KEWAL KRISHAN GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents Page 12 of 29 + W.P.(C) 2084/2016 & CM89322016 JAI BHAGWAN versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2792/2015 & CM49942015 DINESH KUMAR & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2812/2015 & CM50442015 AJIT SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2863/2015 & CM51402015 RAJ SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2879/2015 & CM51572015 SATPAL & ORS versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 2966/2015 & CM53092015 JOGINDER versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 3008/2015 & CM53922015 …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 13 of 29 PRADEEP KUMAR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 5532/2016 & CM231032016 PRAVEEN KUMAR versus GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 5535/2016 & CM231062016 VIJAY KUMAR versus GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS + W.P.(C) 7295/2015 & CM134032015 TARIF SINGH DABAS versus GOVT. OF N.C.T. OF DELHI AND ORS + W.P.(C) 9114/2014 & CM50152015 RAM PHAL versus …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 9159/2014 & CM50102015 VED PARKASH …Petitioner versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 9181/2014 & CM50132015 KULDEEP SINGH …Petitioner Page 14 of 29 W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 9184/2014 & CM50212015 MAHENDER SINGH versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 9185/2014 & CM50202015 CHANDER BHAN versus …Respondents …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioner GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents + W.P.(C) 9186/2014 & CM50072015 YESHPAL BHARDWAJ & ANR versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 9187/2014 & CM50192015 RAJPAL SINGH versus + W.P.(C) 9188/2014 & CM50122015 SATISH CHANDER versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR + W.P.(C) 9206/2014 & CM50092015 JOGINDER & 2 ORS versus W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors …Petitioners …Respondents …Petitioner …Petitioner …Respondents …Petitioners Page 15 of 29 GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR …Respondents Advocates who appeared in this case:-

"For the... Petitioner

s For the Respondent L&B/LAC For the Respondent L&B/LAC For the Respondent DSIIDC For the Respondent DDA : Mr Sanjay Parikh with Mr Aagney Sail, Ms Mamta Saxena and Ms Ninni Susan Thomas : Mr Yeeshu Jain, Mr Siddharth Panda and Ms Jyoti Tyagi : Mr R.K. Sharma, Mr Akhil Mittal, Mr Sachin Nawani, Ms Astha Tyagi, Mr Sudershan Joon : Ms Renuka Arora with Mr Kunal Kohli : Mr Ajay Verma with Mr Sanjeev Sabharwal and Mr Hem Kumar CORAM:-

"HON’BLE MR JUSTICE BADAR DURREZ AHMED HON’BLE MR JUSTICE JAYANT NATH BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J JUDGMENT1 Bhim Singh v. Govt of NCT of Delhi & Ors (WPC91012014) is the lead matter in this batch of petitions. The facts are virtually identical except for the description of the petitioners and the lands and some dates. They all pertain to the same acquisition proceeding under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as „the 1894 Act‟).

2. In all the petitions the benefit of section 24(2) of The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as „the 2013 Act‟) has W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 16 of 29 been sought. The petitioners seek a declaration that the land acquisition proceedings in respect of their lands be deemed to have lapsed in view of the provisions of section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. This is sought on the assertion that though they have received compensation, they continue to be in actual physical possession of the lands in question and the award was also made more than five (5) years prior to the commencement of the 2013 Act (i.e., 01.01.2014). On the other hand the respondents contend that although the award was made more than 5 years prior to the commencement of the 2013 Act, the petitioners cannot get the benefit of section 24(2) of the 2013 Act because the actual physical possession of the lands in question had been taken by the Land Acquisition Collector and compensation had also been admittedly paid to and received by the petitioners/landowners. It was further contended on behalf of the respondents that the petitioners had also, while receiving additional payment under a Special Rehabilitation Package, given up all their rights in respect of the said acquired lands and therefore they could not seek any benefit under section 24(2) of the 2013 Act.

3. The Notification under section 4 of the 1894 Act indicating the government‟s intention to acquire, inter alia, the petitioners‟ lands in W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 17 of 29 village Kanjhawala for the development of „New Industrial Area‟ was issued on 25.08.2005. This was followed by the declaration under section 6 of the 1894 Act on 10.07.2006 and by the Award No.6/2008-09 dated 20.06.2008. In the award it was mentioned that physical possession of the land under acquisition would be taken after the announcement of the award. As per the respondents, physical possession of the subject lands was taken on 11.07.2008. And, insofar as WPC91012014 (Bhim Singh [supra].) is concerned, compensation of Rs 72,37,027/- was paid vide cheque number 341685 dated 26.11.2009. Similar was the case in respect of the petitioners in all the other petitions in this batch. On the part of the petitioners, it was, however contended that physical possession was still with them and only paper possession was taken by the respondents. It is also necessary for us to point out that prior to receiving 4. compensation, the petitioners had to make an application supported by an affidavit. By way of sample the application and affidavit submitted by Bhim Singh (i.e., the petitioner in the lead case) is as under:-

"“BEFORE THE LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR (NW) KANJHAWALA DELHI-81 Award No.6/2008-09/DC-NW Date of Award ________ Village Kanjhawala W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 18 of 29 In Re: Item No.186 Subject: - Application for payment of the compensation of 100% share of land bearing Khasra No.1
min (0-14), 8(4-16), 9 min (3-04), 13 (4-16) Sir, Most respectfully submitted as under:-

"1. That the applicant/s is / are the recorded Bhumidhar / owner / possession holder of the land as above.

2. That the land as above has since been acquired and the payment of compensation is pending before this honorable court.

3. It is further stated that there is no dispute exists or pending regarding the land so acquired in any court of law and therefore applicant/s is / are fully and completely entitled for the awarded compensation of the land in question.

4. That possession of the land has already been taken from the applicant/s by the concerned authorities.

5. That except the applicant/s no other person is claimant to the compensation. Hence the applicant/s is / are only entitled to receive the compensation.

6. That the applicant/s shall receive the compensation under protest and subject to the filing of reference u/s 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. It is therefore respectfully prayed that the payment of compensation of the applicant/s land may kindly be released in the interest of justice at the earliest. Applicant/s Signature Sd/- Sh. Bhim Singh S/o Uday Singh R/o VPO Kanjhawala Delhi-81” “BEFORE THE LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR (NW) DELHI AT KANJHAWALA, DELHI-81 W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 19 of 29 AWARD NO.6/2008-09/DC-NW Village-Kanjhawala AFFIDAVIT I, deponent, Bhim Singh S/o Sh. Uday Singh R/o VPO Kanjhawala, Delhi-81, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:-

"1. That I am the sole owner / Bhumidhar of agriculture land bearing Khasra No.1
min (0-14), 8(4-16), 9 min (3-04), 13 (4-16) situated in the revenue estate of village Kanjhawala, Delhi which has been acquired by the above award and possession has been taken / being taken over by the Govt.

2. That I have absolute right, interest, claim on the above piece of land.

3. That no other person than the deponent has any right, title or interest whatsoever in the acquired land or its compensation payable to the owner Bhumidhar as above.

4. That the above said land is free from all encumbrances, such as sale, gift, mortgage, court litigation, dispute, charge, lien, notices etc and if it is proved otherwise then the deponent shall be personally liable and responsible for all the losses and damages.

5. That no tacavvi / loan is due from the deponent on the land in question.

6. That compensation is being taken by me under protest subject to reference under section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Sd/- Deponent Verification:-

"Verified at Delhi on the 30/1/09 that the contents of above affidavit are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed there from. Deponent” W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 20 of 29 From the application and the affidavit it is evident that the said Bhim Singh acknowledged the fact possession had been taken by the concerned authority. However, the compensation was being received under protest and subject to the filing of a reference under section 18 of the 1894 Act.

5. In the meanwhile, on 01.10.2008 the Government of NCT of Delhi had issued order No.F.9(20)/80/L&B/LA/Vol.II/8226-44 in respect of a Special Rehabilitation Package for people affected by land acquisition in respect of the cases in which the land acquisition awards had not been announced till December 18, 2007. Since the award in the present case was announced in 2008, the petitioners became eligible for the Special Rehabilitation Package. But that package was subject to certain terms as would be clear from the said order dated 01.10.2008 which is set out below: “GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI LAND & BUILDING DEPARTMENT B-BLOCK: VIKAS BHAWAN: NEW DELHI. No.F.9(20)/80/L&B/LA/Vol.II/8226-44 Dated:

01. 10-2008 ORDER into The government of consideration the general increase in prices of land and the inequity of giving compensation based on the procedure followed the NCT of Delhi have taken W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 21 of 29 under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Therefore, the government have decided to give a Special Rehabilitation Package for the people affected by land acquisition in respect of the cases in which the land acquisition awards have not been announced till December 18, 2007, details of which are:-

"1. The amount of compensation effective from December 18, 2007 would be discounted by Rupees 11.80 lakhs per acre per year for those lands which were notified under section 4 for acquisition in 2006 and 2005.

2. Though this Special Rehabilitation Package would involved additional funds for making payment of compensation to the farmers, the amount would be recovered while determining the cost of land allotted to other government agencies.

3. The other elements of the award namely solatium and interest would be allowed as per rules.

4. The Special Rehabilitation Package would not be treated as precedent for the future.

5. The payment of compensation should be done in a time bound manner.

6. The package would apply to all agricultural lands.

7. The Special Rehabilitation Package should be accepted by individual farmers and made applicable in each case only, if they do not mount a challenge to the award already announced by the LAC. If they have challenged the award they must withdraw the petition to avail of the benefit of the Special Rehabilitation Package. Sd/- ( G.S. MEENA ) Addl. Secretary (L&B)” The petitioners in this batch of petitions accepted the Special 6. Rehabilitation Package and received additional payment thereunder. In W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 22 of 29 the case of Bhim Singh, he received an additional amount of Rs 63,15,114/- vide cheque No.295355 dated 22.11.2011. The application and affidavit submitted by the said Bhim Singh for availing and receiving payment under the said package are set out hereinbelow by way of sample:-

"“BEFORE THE LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTION (NORTH-WEST) KANJHAWALA, DELHI-81. Item Number:

186. Award No.6/2008-09/DC(NW) Village: KANJHAWALA Sub: Application for payment of Special Rehabilitation Package. Sir, Most respectfully submitted as under:-

"1. That my land bearing Khasra No.1
min (0-14), 8(4-16), 9 min (3-14), 13 (4-16), Measuring total of 13 Bigha 10 Biswa, having 100% share the revenue estate of village KANJHAWALA Delhi was notified u/s 4 of L.A. Act, vide notification No.F.7(24)/2004/L&B/LA/6420 dated 25/08/2005 and u/s 6 of L.A. vide declaration dated 10/07/2006. in 2. That my above said land was acquired by the GNCTD vide Award No.6/2008-09/DC(NW) and market value was fixed at Rs.15,70,000/- per acre along with other statutory benefits under the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

3. That whereas on representations made by the farmers the Government has announced a Special Rehabilitation Package dated 01/10/2008 which, I hereby accept. I have fully understood the contents of the Special Rehabilitation Package offered by the Government and shall abide by the same. W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 23 of 29 4. That I have already received the compensation awarded by the LAC vide the aforesaid award against Item No.186.

5. That now I am fully satisfied of my own free will and without any force, pressure, misunderstanding and inducement with the compensation including Special Rehabilitation Package being given to me by the Government in lieu of compulsory acquisition of my land.

6. That requisite undertaking in the prescribed Performa is enclosed. It is that therefore prayed the payment of Special Rehabilitation Package as well as the payment of interest and other dues in accordance with NCT Delhi order dated 01-10-2008 may kindly paid to me at the earliest. Thanking you in anticipation. Applicant‟s Signature BHIM SINGH FATHER‟S NAME: UDAY SINGH R/O VPO KANJHAWALA DELHI NAME: L.H.T.” Through Advocate “UNDERTAKING FOR PAYMENT OF SPECIAL REHABILITATION PACKAGE I, BHIM SINGH, S/o, D/o, W/o Sh. Uday Singh R/o VPO Kanjhawala, Delhi – 81, do hereby undertake as under:-

"1. That my land bearing Khasra No.1
min (0-14), 8(4-16), 9 min (3-14), 13(4-16) Measuring total of 13 Bigha 10 Biswa, having 100% share the revenue estate of village Kanjhawala, Delhi was notified u/s 4 of L.A. Act, vide notification No.F724)/2004/L&B/LA/8420 dated 25/08/2005 and u/s 6 of L.A. Act, vide declaration dated 10/07/2006. in 2. That my above said land was acquired by the GNCTD vide Award No.1/2008-09/DC(NW) and market value was fixed at W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 24 of 29 Rs.15,70,000/- per acre along with other statutory benefits under the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

3. That whereas on representations made by the farmers the Government has announced a Special Rehabilitation Package dated 01/10/2008 which, I hereby accept. I have fully understood the contents of the Special Rehabilitation Package offered by the Government and shall abide by the same.

4. That I have already received the compensation awarded by the LAC vide the aforesaid award against Item No.186.

5. That now I am fully satisfied of my own free will and without any force, pressure, misunderstanding and inducement with the compensation including Special Rehabilitation Package being given to me by the Government in lieu of compulsory acquisition of my land.

6. That before the offer of Special Rehabilitation Package I have filed reference petition under section 18 of LA Act, after receiving the compensation under protest, which is diarised at Sl. No.2685 dated 22-2-09 with the LAC (NW) office.

7. That as I have agreed to receive the compensation on my own free will and consent along with the amount of Special Rehabilitation Package and after being fully satisfied with the total amount of compensation offered for my land my reference u/s 18 of the Act shall not be sent to reference court for adjudication and the same shall be treated as withdrawn.

8. That I undertake not to agitate and raise any claim in respect of compensation and other related benefits in any court of law or authority / authorities at any point of time. This shall be acceptable to my successors, legal representatives, legal heirs and assigns as well. In the eventuality of my having preferred any appeal before any court of law I shall withdraw the same and submit proof of it before claiming Special Rehabilitation Package.

9. That I further undertake not to challenge the terms and condition of special rehabilitation package before any court of W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 25 of 29 law or authority or authorities at any point of time. This shall also be acceptable to my successors, legal representatives, legal heirs and assigns as well.

10. That on my above undertaking and acceptance of compensation including special rehabilitation package, all my rights qua the acquired land shall cease. Hence no cause of action shall arise for agitating the matter in any court of law, or authority or authorities. I may therefore be disbursed the Rehabilitation Package towards full and final settlement in respect of my acquired land. Thump impression DEPONENT LHTI Verification:-

"Verified at Delhi on 6th day of September, 2011 that the contents of my above undertaking are true and correct and I have signed and verified the same after fully understanding the contents and implications of Special Rehabilitation Package, I have no concealed any material fact there from. Thumb impression DEPONENT LHTI” 7. In paragraph 10 of the undertaking it has been clearly recorded that on the acceptance of compensation including the Special Rehabilitation Package, all the rights of the said Bhim Singh (which is also the case in all the other petitions) “qua the acquired land shall cease” and “no cause of action shall arise for agitating the matter in any court of law or authority or authorities”. This undertaking was made in 2011, much prior to the commencement of the 2013 Act which, as mentioned earlier, happened on 01.01.2014. W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 26 of 29 8. The plea of the petitioners is founded on their claim that they are still in actual physical possession of the subject lands. The respondents contend otherwise. The respondents‟ contention is based on two planks. The first being the factum of possession proceedings of 11.07.2008 as per annexure R-1 to the counter affidavit of Respondent no.2 (Land & Building Department, Govt of NCT of Delhi) in the lead case (Bhim Singh – WPC91012014). The second being that the petitioners, in their applications seeking compensation, have admitted that “possession” had be taken by the concerned authorities. De hors this, the respondents also contend that in this batch of matters the petitioners have willingly opted for the Special Rehabilitation Package and, while doing so, have given up all their rights in the acquired lands. This happened in 2011, much prior to the 2013 Act. Therefore, on 01.01.2014, the petitioners had no right whatsoever in respect of the subject lands. Insofar as the arguments of the respondents with regard to 9. possession are concerned, the learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that there was a clear distinction between mere “possession” and actual “physical possession”. The learned counsel sought to place W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 27 of 29 reliance on several decisions of the Supreme Court to contend that “physical possession” of the subject lands had not been taken over. The decisions were: (1) State of M.P. v. Narmada Bachao Andolan: (2011) 7 SCC639 (2) NTPC v. Mahesh Dutta & Ors: (2009) 8 SCC339 (3) Banda Development Authority v. Motilal Agarwal & others: (2011) 5 SCC394 (4) Prahlad Singh & Ors v. Union of India & Ors: (2011) 5 SCC385 (5) Raghubir Singh Sherawat v. State of Haryana: (2012) 1 SCC792 (6) Magnum Promoters v. Union of India: (2015) 3 SCC327 (7) Velaxan Kumar v. Union of India: (2015) 4 SCC325 But, in our view, it would not be necessary for us to examine the issue as to whether the petitioners were or were not in actual physical possession. In fact, we need not even examine the two planks of the respondents‟ counter argument qua possession.

10. The key point in this batch of matters is whether the petitioners had any right left in subject lands?. As noted above, in the undertakings given by the petitioners in 2011, while opting for the Special Rehabilitation Package and receiving additional payments thereunder, they had clearly divested themselves of all their rights in respect of the subject acquired lands. Thus, at the time of commencement of the 2013 Act on W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 28 of 29 01.01.2014, the petitioners had no right, title or interest left in the subject lands. Therefore, they cannot claim any benefit under section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. On this ground alone, the writ petitions are liable to be dismissed.

11. Consequently, we dismiss the writ petitions but, with no order as to costs. Interim orders, if any, stand vacated. BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J JAYANT NATH, J DECEMBER20 2016 W.P.(C) No.9101/2014 & Ors Page 29 of 29