The Supreme Court has ruled that land acquisition for the public purpose is justified and sovereign power can acquire land for public purpose. A two-judge Bench of Justices C K Thakker and D K Jain held that the "public purpose" could include "industrial and other infrastructural developmental needs for the common good of the citizens.

 

The judgment may be a blatant blow to those who are fighting against SEZ (Special Economic Zones) and land acquisition for the purpose. The Bench deciding in the favor of land acquisition of vast tracts of agricultural and other lands by Andhra Pradesh Govt in Ranga Reddy district adjoining Hyderabad city said that it was done for public purpose.

 

The court held that the State being a sovereign power under the doctrine of "Eminent Domain" under the Land Acquisition Act 1894 has inherent rights to acquire land by paying suitable compensation to those displaced. The court further observed that the inherent political right is founded on a common maxim that individual members should shed their interest for common good.