Landowners Who Failed to Avail Opportunity of Hearing Cannot Later Allege Denial of Hearing Under the Land Acquisition Act: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed appeals filed by landowners challenging the land acquisition proceedings for the Jaipur Metro Rail Project Phase II. The Court held that the landowners lost their right of personal hearing under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 because, after filing objections, they failed to appear before the Land Acquisition Officer on the scheduled date and remained silent thereafter. The judgment was delivered…