Supreme Court of India
DAULAT SINGH SURANA AND ORS.versusFIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR AND ORS.
- Citation
- 2006 INSC 838
- Decided
- 13 November 2006
- Disposal
- Dismissed
- Bench
- ASHOK BHAN
Holding
The Supreme Court held that possession of the land is irrelevant to the validity of a Section 4 notification and that the State’s declaration of a public purpose is conclusive, thereby dismissing the appeal.
Summary
The appellant, Daulat Singh Surana, owned premises that had been requisitioned and used by the West Bengal Government since 1943 as the office and residence of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security Control). The State issued a notification under Section 4 and a declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 to acquire the land for the same public purpose, without first handing over vacant possession as ordered by a Single Judge of the Calcutta High Court. The appellant claimed that publishing the notification without delivering possession amounted to fraud and that the purpose was not a valid "public purpose". The Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court held that possession is irrelevant to the validity of a Section 4 notification and that the purpose was indeed a public purpose, setting aside the Single Judge’s order. On appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed the Division Bench, holding that the question of possession does not affect the validity of the notification and that the State’s discretion to declare a public purpose is paramount. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed and the appellant was left to claim compensation in a separate proceeding.
Issues considered
- The relevance of the landowner's possession of the property to the validity of a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
- Whether the State's failure to deliver vacant possession before issuing the notification amounted to fraud and vitiated the acquisition process.
- Whether the purpose of acquiring the premises qualifies as a "public purpose" within the meaning of the Act.
Legislation cited
- Constitution of Indias. Article 37, s. Article 39
- Land Acquisition Act, 1894s. 4, s. 6
- West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948s. 3, s. 4, s. 5
- West Bengal Premises Requisition and Control (Temporary Provision) Act, 1947s. 3(1)
Subjects
Land acquisitionPublic purposeSection 4 notificationPossessionEminent domainFraudWest Bengal
Judgment
....
A
DAULAT SINGH SURANA AND ORS.
v.
FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR AND ORS.
NOVEMBER 13, 2006
B
[ASHOK BHAN AND DAL VEER BHANDARI, JJ.]
Land Acquisition:
C Land Acquisition Act, 1894: Sections 4 and 6.
"Public purpose "-Acquisition of premises-State Government issued
a notification under S. 4 and declaration under S. 6 for acquisition of
premises for the office-cum-residence for the Deputy Commissioner of Police
D (security Control)-The State Government was already using the premises in
question for more than six decades-In the declaration it was clearly
incorporated that the premises in question was required at the public
expense-The said premises and the land appurtenant thereto had been
continuously in possession of the state Government Since 1943 as the office
of the Dy. Commissioner ofpolice (security Control)-A Single Judge allowed
E the writ petition filled by the owner of the premises in question-It was
alleged that the publication of the Notification under S. 4 without first
delivering hack possession of the land to the owner as per court's order
amounted to practicing fraud by the Government upon the statute-The
Division Bench held that for the purpose of examining the validity of a
Notification under S. 4, the question of possession of land is absolutley
F irrelevant-The High Court further held that the examination should remain
confined only to the question of existence of public purpose-Correctness
of-Held: "public purpose" will include a purpose in which the general
interest of the community as opposed to the interest of an individual is
directly or indirectly involved-Individual interest must give way to public
G interest as far as "public purpose" in respect of acquisition of land is
concerned-The Government has the sole and absolute discretion to decide
what "pub/ic purpose" is-The power of compulsory acquisition can be
exercised only in the interest and/or the welfare of the people-The premises
in question was required for the interest and welfare of the people and,
H 1076
OAULAT SINGH SURANA v. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR 1077
therefore, "public purpose" was involved in acquiring the premises in A
question-High Court's judgment upheld
Words & Phrases:
.. "Public purpose"-Meaning of-In the context of Sections 4 and 6 of
the Land Acquisition Act, 1984.
Doctrine of "Eminent domain "-Explained.
B
The respondent-State issued a notification under section 4 and
declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for acquisition
of premises for the office-cum-residence for the Deputy Commissioner of C
Police (Security Control). The State Government was already using the
premises in question for more than six decades. In the declaration issued under
Section 6 of the Act, it was clearly incorporated that the said pieces of land
was needed for the officer-cum-residence of the Dy. Commissioner of Police
(Security Con~rol) at the public expense. In the year 1943, the premises in
question was requisitioned by the State Government and the said premises D
and the land appurtenant thereto had been continuously in possession of the
respondent-State Government since 1943 as the officer of the Dy.
Commissioner of Police (Security Control).
The appellant filed a wit petition challenging the said notification, which E
was allowed by single Judge of the High Court The appellant alleged that the
publication of the Notification under Section 4 of the Act without first
delivering back possession of the land to the owner as per court's order
amounted to practicing fraud by the Government upon the statue. In appeal,
the Division Bench of the High Court held that for the purpose of examining
the validity of a Notification under Section 4 of the Act, the question of F
possession of land is absolutely irrelevant The High Court further held that
the examination should remain confined only to the question of existence of
public purpose. The Division Bench allowed the appeal and set aside the
judgment of the Single Judge. Hence the appeal.
Dismissing the appeal, the Court G
HELD: 1. The High Court was correct and justified in holding that while
examining the validity of a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition
Act, 1894, the question of possession of land was absolutely irrelevant.
(1090-Cl
H
1078 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A Sri Nripati Ghoshal v. Premavati Kapur, [1996) 5 SCC 386, First Land
Acquisition Collector v. Nirodhi Prakash Gangoli, [2002) 4 SCC 160,
Reghunath v. State of Maharashtra, AIR (1988) SC 1615, Hindustan Oil Mills
Ltd v. Special Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), AIR (1990) SC 731, State
of West Bengal v. Bireshwas Dutta Estate (P) Ltd, (2000) 1 Calcutta Law
B Times 165 (HC) and Sailendra Narayana Bhanja Deo v. State ofOrissa, AIR
1956 SC 346, referred to.
2. "Public purpose" will include a purpose in which the general interest
of the community as opposed to the interest of an individual is directly or
indirectly involved. Individual interest must give way to public interest as far
C as "public purpose" in respect of acquisition of land is concerned. [1093-A)
Black Law Dictionary, 5th Edn.., referred to.
3. "Public purpose" is bound to vary with times and prevailing conditions
in the community or locality and, therefore, the legislature has left it to the
D State (Government) to decide what "public purpose" is and also to declare the
need of a given land for the purpose. The legislature has left the discretion to
the Government regarding "public purpose". The Government has the sole
and absolute discretion in the matter. (1093-FI
State of Bihar v. Kameshwar Singh AIR (1952) SC 252, followed.
E
The State ofBombay v. R.S. Nanji, [1956) SCR 18, The State ofBombay
v. Bhanji Munji, [1955) 1 SCR 777 and The State of Bombay v. Ali Gulshan,
(1955) 2 SCR 867, relied on.
hamabai v. Secretary of State, (1911) 13 Born LR 1097, approved.
F
Munn v. Illinois (1877) 94 US 113: 24 L. Ed 77, United Community
Services v. Omaha Nat. Bank 77 N.W. 3s 576, 585, 162 Neb. 786, People ex
rel. Adamowski v. Chicago R. "R. Terminal Authority, 151 N.E. 2d 311, 314,
14 III. 2d 230, Green v. Frazier, 176 N.W. 11,17,44 N.D. 395 and Central
Control Board v. Cannon Brewe1y Co. Ltd., (1919) A.C. 744, referred to.
G
Cooley: ·· Constitutional limitations", Vol. II, p. 113, referred to.
4. "Public purpose" is bound to change with the items and the prevailing
conditions in a given area and, therefore, it would not be a practical proposition
even to attempt an extensive definition of it. It is because of this that the
H legislature had left it to the Government to say what a "public purpose" is
DAULA T SINGH SURANA v. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR 1079
and also to declare the need of a given land for a "public purpose A
Somawanti v. State of Punjab, ( 1963 ( 2 SCR 77 4, followed.
5. Broadly speaking the expression 'public purpose' would, however,
include a purpose in which the general interest of the community as opposed
to the particular interest of the individuals is directly and virtually concerned. B
(1098-C)
Satya Narain Singh v. District Engineer, PWD, Ballia AIR (1962) SC
1161, followed.
Babu Barkya Thakur v. The State of Bombay, (1961) 1SCR128, Arnold
Rodrick v. State of Maharashtra, (1966) 3 SCR 885 and Bhim Singhji v. Union C
of India, (1981) 1 SCC 166, relied on.
6. The right of eminent domain is the right of the State to reassert either
temporarily or permanently its dominion over any piece of land on account of
public exigency and for public good. 11098-Gl
D
The State of Karnataka v. Shri Ranganatha Reddy, [19771 4 SCC 471,
followed.
Laxman Rao Bapurao Jadhav v. State of Maharashtra, (1977) 3 SCC
493, Scindia Employees' Union v. State of Maharashtra, [1996) 10 SCC 150
and Coffee Boardv. Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, (1988) 3 SCC 263, E
relied on.
His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalavery v. State of Kera/a,
(1973) Supp. 1 SCR 1, cited.
V. G. Ramachandran 's Law of land Acquisition and Compensation" 8th F
Edn., p. by G.C. Mathur, referred to.
7. The power of compulsory acquisition as described by the term
'eminent domain' can be exercised only in the interest and for the welfare of
the people. The concept of 'public purpose' should include the matters, such
as, safety, security, health, welfare and prosperity of the community at large. G
[1100-F)
8. "Public purpose" for which the premise was required in the instant
case was not questioned seriously. As a m~tter of fact, the State Government
has been using the premises in question for more than six decades for the
safety and security of the people by having an office of the Deputy H
1080 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R. ---
A Commissioner of Police (Security Control). Therefore, by no stretch of
imagination, it can be said that the premises was not required by the State
Government for the interest and welfare of the people or there was no "public
purpose" involved in acquiring the premises in question.
(1100-G, H; 1101-A)
B CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 6756 of2003.
From the Judgment and Order dated I 0-10-2002 of the High Court of
Calcutta in F.M.A.T. No. 6/1997.
J.L. Gupta, S. Ganesh, Sanjiv Sen, J.P. Pandey and Rajan Narain, for the
C Appellants.
K. Radhakrishnan, Satish Vig and Bikas Kargupta, for the Respondents.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
D DALVEER BHANDARI, J. This appeal is directed against the judgment
of the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court delivered in FMAT No.6 of
1997 dated I 0th October, 2002.
The appellant is aggrieved by the Notification under Section 4 and
declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 dated 13th
E December, 1994 and 23rd June, 1995 respectively published and made by the
Government of West Bengal in respect of premises no.4, Pretoria Street,
Calcutta measuring more or less 0.0988 hectare (0.2441 acre).
The appellant had challenged the said notification by filing a writ
petition before the Calcutta High Court. The learned Single Judge had
F allowed the writ petition and quashed the notification. The said notification
under section 4 reads as under:
"NOTIFICATION
Calcutta No.4364-LA(PW)/3P-2 l/94/Home (Police)
G
Dated, Calcutta the 13th December, 1994
WHEREAS it appears to the Governor that land is likely to be needed
for. a public purpose not being a purpose of Union namely for
permanent accommodation of office-cum-residence of Dy.
H Commissioner of Police Security Control under Commissioner of Police,
DAULAT SINGH SURANA "·FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DALVEER BHANDARI, J.] 1081
Calcutta, Home (Police) Deptt. Government of West Bengal in Police A
Station District Calcutta Ward No.63 of Calcutta Municipal Corporation,
it is hereby notified that a piece of land comprising Western portion
of premises No.4, Pretoria Street, Calcutta and measuring more or less
0.0988 hectare (0.2423 acre) and bounded as specified below:-
North by Pretoria Street B
East by Remaining portion of Premises No.4,
Pretoria Street.
South by Premises No.5, Pretoria Street
West by Premises Nos.12 & 15, Lord Sinha c
Road
is likely to be needed for the aforesaid public purpose at the public
expense within the aforesaid Ward of the Calcutta Municipal
Corporation in the City of Calcutta.
D
This Notification is made, under the provisions of Section 4 of Act
I of 1894 to all whom it may concern.
A plan of the land may be inspected in the Offir,e of the First Land
Acquisition Officer, Calcutta, at No.5, Bankshall Street, Calcutta 700
OCH. E
In exercise of the powers conferred by the aforesaid Section, the
Governor is pleased to authorise the Officers for the time. being engaged
in the undertaking, with their servants and workmen, to enter upon
and survey the land and do all other acts required or permitted by that
section. F
Any person interested in the above land, who has any objection to
acquisition thereof, may within thirty days after the date on which
public notice of the substance of this Notification is given in the
locality, file an objection in writing before the First Land Acquisition
Collector, Calcutta, at No.5, Bankshall Street, Calcutta-700 001. G
By Order of the Governor
T.N. Khan.
H
1082 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A Deputy Secretary to the
Govt. of West Bengal."
Thereafter, on 23.6.1995, declaration under section 6 was issued by the
Government of West Bengal. The said declaration as published in Calcutta
Gazette reads as under:
B
"DECLARATION
Calcutta No.4059-L.A./3P-2 l/94/Home (Police)
Dated: 23.6.95
C WHEREAS the Governor is satisfied that land is needed for a
public purpose being/not being a purpose of Union, namely for
permanent accommodation of office-cum-residence of Dy.
Commissioner of Police Security Control under Commissioner of Police
Calcutta, Home (Police) Deptt. Govt. of N. Bengal, in Police Station
D Park Street, District Calcutta, Ward No.63 of Calcutta Municipal
Corporation, it is hereby declared that a piece of land comprising
premises No. Western portion of Premises No.4, Pretoria Street, Calcutta
and measuring more or less 0.0988 hectare (0.2441 acre) and bounded
on the
E North by Pretoria Street
East by Remaining portion of Premises No.4,
Pretoria
South by Premises No.5, Pretoria Street
F West by Premises No.12 & 15, Lord Sinha
Road
is needed for the aforesaid public purpose at the public expense partly
at the public expenses and partly at the expense of within the aforesaid
ward of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation in the City of Calcutta.
G
This Declaration is made under the provision of Section 6 of Act
l of 1894/read with the said Notification, to all whom it may concern.
A plan of the land may be inspected in the Office of the First Land
Acquisition Collector, Calcutta, at No.5, Bankshall Street, Calcutta-700
H 001.
DAULAT SINGH SURAN A 1•. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) } 083
By order of the Governor, A
(P.K. Guha Roy)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of W.B.
LC.A. 2744(2)/95
Date: 28.6.95."
In the said declaration, it is clearly incorporated that the said piece of B
land is needed for office-cum-residence of Dy. Commissioner of Police (Security
Control) at the public expense.
The reasons for setting aside section 4 notification and declaration
under section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, were as follows:
(I) the publication thereof, having not been preceded by handing
c
over vacant possession of the land, by the Government to the
respondents, in compliance with the order dated 18th August,
1993, passed by the learned Single Judge in Writ Petition No.3 799
of 1992, had amounted to practicing fraud by the Government
upon the statute; D
(II) the declaration under Section 6 was set aside on the ground that
the statement incorporated in the said declaration that the said
premises was being acquired 'partly at the public expense and
partly at the expense of within the aforesaid ward' as published
in the newspaper indicated total non-application of mind by the E
concerned authorities".
In the year 1943, under the Defence of India Rules, the premises situated
at 4, Pretoria Street, Calcutta was requisitioned by the Government of West
Bengal. After requisition, the Government started using the ground floor of
the two-storeyed building, standing thereon, as office of the Dy. Commissioner F
of Police (Security Control), and the first floor thereof, as residential
accommodation of the said officer. Admittedly, the premises and the land
appurtenant to the premises has been continuously in possession of the
respondent-State Government since 1943 and from year 1943, the said premises
is being used as the office of the Dy. Commissioner of Police (Security G
Control). In other words, for the last more than 63 years the office of Dy.
Commissioner of Police (Security Control) has been continuously functioning
from the said premises.
In this petition, we are primarily concerned with the validity of the
issuance of notification under section 4 and declaration under section 6 of H
1084 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in respect of the said premises.
In the impugned judgment and other judgments delivered from time to
time, the other facts regarding requisition and acquisition have been
incorporated. Therefore, briefly, we would indicate those facts in order to
understand the controversy involved in the said case properly and
B comprehensively. We would like to clearly indicate that our directions would
remain confined only to the validity of Section 4 and declaration made under
Section 6 of the Act.
Essential facts
C Brit:f facts necessary to understand and comprehend the controversy
involved in the case are briefly stated as under.
After the acquisition of the said premises in the year 1943, both office
and residence of the Dy. Commissioner of Police (Security Control) started
functioning at the said premises. On 28th December, 1947, the Government
D of West Bengal de-requisitioned the said land, but detained possession thereof.
Again, by order dated 30th January, 1959 issued under Section 3(1) of the
West Bengal Premises Requisition and Control (Temporary Provision) Act,
1947, the Government requisitioned the said land and continued to use the
same for the same purpose.
E
The appellant purchased the said land on 27.9.1982 along with the
existing building. The appellant filed a writ petition being W.P. No.872 of 1984
before the Calcutta High Court in the year 1984.
The writ petition was allowed by the learned Single Judge vide judgment
F dated 17th September, 1985. The respondent-State preferred an appeal (FMA
No.508 of 1985). The said appeal was disposed of by the judgment of the
Division Bench dated 12th December, 1985. The requisition thereof was to
remain valid for a period of six m·onths from 12th December, 1985 and the
requisition in regard to the garden was put to an end with the direction to
handover the possession to the appellant with iiberty to acquire at the same
G time.
The appellant apprehending acquisition of the said land under the
provisions of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948,
on 25th April, 1986 moved the second Writ Petition (Civil Rule No. 5025(W)
H of 1986).
r DAULAT SINGH SURANA i: FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI. J.] 1085
The respondent-Government once again requisitioned the said land by A
making an order dated 31st May, 1986 under Section 3(1) of the West Bengal
Act 2 of 1948. The respondent-Government of West Bengal continued to use
the said requisitioned land for the same purpose as before. Thereafter, for
acquiring the said land, the government published a notice dated 14th August,
1986 under Section 4(1a) of the West Bengal Act 2 of 1948 in the official B
gazette on 16th August, 1986.
The appellant challenged the said order and notice under Sections 3(1)
and 4(la) of the West Bengal Act 2of1948 by filing a third Writ Petition (Civil
Rule No. 8407(W) of 1987). The learned Single Judge disposed of the said
Civil Rule 8407(W) of 1987. Both the said order under Section 3 (I) and Notice C
under Section 4(1a) were set aside.
The respondent-Government preferred an appeal (FMA T No. 2224 of
1987) and it was disposed of by the Division Bench on 7th September, 1990.
The appeal was allowed and the judgment appealed from was set aside to the
extent indicated hereinbelow. The relevant portion of the judgment is D
repr~duced hereinbelow :-
"It however appears to us that if the vacant land to the extent of
15 feet at the back side of the covered portion of the building is
acquired the purpose for which the building is intended to be acquired
will be satisfied and the entirety of the vacant land and the back side E
of the said building is not necessary to be acquired. The order of
acquisition of vacant land at the back of the building beyond 15 ft.
of the vacant land at the back side of the building therefore stands
annulled. It also appears to us that in the facts of this case that the
State Government intended from the very beginning to acquire the F
premises for the said Security Control Department and for
accommodating the in charge of the said department viz. The Deputy
Commissioner of Police (Security Control). It was never intended by
the State Government to r~quisition the premises temporarily for the
sole purpose of requisition. It will not be correct to contend that the
Government had intended initially to keep the premises in requisition G
but later on, it decided to acquire the said premises. Records of the
Government Department also clearly demonstrate that the property
was intended to be acquired for the said purpose and as the time for
acquisition as specified by the Court of Appeal was running out and
there was urgent necessity to maintain status quo as regards H
1086 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A possession before acquisition proceeding is finalized under Act II of
1948, the order of requisition was made within six months only as a
step in aid to pass consequential order of acquisition under Section
4(1a) of Act 1948. Looking to the relevant records of the case it does
not appear to us that the order of requisition was not passed within
a period of six months but such order was antedated."
B
Against the order of the Division Bench, special leave petition filed by
the respondent-State was dismissed by this Court. Consequently, on 12th
June, 1991 physical possession of the land beyond 15 ft. of the existing
building was delivered back by the respondent-State to the appellant. A
C notice dated 14th September, 1992 under Section 5(3) of the West Bengal Act
2 of 1948 was issued by the First Lar1d Acquisition Collector, Calcutta inviting
the respondents to make their respective claims to compensation for the said
land already acquired by the Government by publishing the said notice· dated
14th August, 1986 under Section 4(la) of the West Bengal Act 2of1948.
D It may be pertinent to mention that the appellant instead of making any
claim for the grant of compensation, filed Writ Petition Nos.3798-3799of1992.
In Writ Petition No.3798of1992, the notice dated 14th September, 1992 under
Section 5(3) of the West Bengal Act 2 of 1948 and in FMA T No.2224 of 1987
was set aside on the ground that despite the judgment of the Division Bench
in FMAT No.2224 of 1987, the said notice had been issued.
E
By the order passed in Writ Petition No.3799 of 1992, the requisition
order dated 30th January, 1959 was set aside together with the direction to
the State Government to deliver the vacant possession of the land and the
building to the appellant within six months. By a subsequent order dated 8th
F July, 1994 passed in Writ Petition No.3798 of 1992, the learned Single Judge
was pleased to modify his order dated 18th August, 1993 to the effect that
the said order would not prevent the Government from issuing fresh notice
in terms of the orders of the Court, for acquisition of the land within the
period of six months after they wanted to acquire the land. "
G In this background, the respondent-State Government published the
notification dated 13th December, 1994 in the official gazette on 21st December,
1994 under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. In the notification,
the same public purpose was indicated that the premises were required for the
office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security Control) which had been
in possession of respondent State of West Bengal since 1943. The land (the
H purpose for which it was being used from the year 1943) and the land (the
DAULAT SINGH SURANA '"FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) } 087
covered area 15 ft. as upheld by the Division Bench in FMA T No.2224 of A
1987) at the same premises was needed by the State Government at the public
expense.
The appellant had filed his objections under Section 5A of the Act. The
objections of the appellant were heard by the competent authority and
thereafter, declaration under Section 6 of the Act was issued by the competent B
authority on 23rd June, 1995. It was published in the newspaper on 6 and
7th July, 1995 and in the official gazette on 7th August, 1995. According to
the appellant, the notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act
could not have been validly issued in respect of the land, possession whereof
had been retained illegally by the State Government. It was further incorporated C
that the Government had earlier been continuing possession of the land only
in terms of the requisition order dated 3 lst May, 1986. The said order of
requisition having been quashed by the Court's order dated 18th August,
1993, the Government's possession of land sought to be acquired became
illegal and unauthorized. It was asserted by the appellant that having
abandoned the earlier proceedings initiated under the West Bengal Act 2 of D
1948, as was evident from the fact of publication of the impugned Notification
under Section 4 read with Section 4 of the Act No. I of 1894, ·the State
Government had lost the right to retain the possession of the land. The
possession would have been taken only in terms of the provisions of Section
16 of the Act I of 1894. It was further asserted by the appellant that the very E
fact of Government publishing the Notification under Section 4, while illegally
retaining possession of the land was sufficient to hold that the power was
exercised ma/a fide. The learned Single Judge came to the conclusion that
possession of the land could be taken by the Government only after passing
of an award under the provisions of the Act I of 1894.
F
In the instant case, no award has been passed, the possession of the
land had always remained with the Government. The possession of the land
had not been handed over to the respondent in spite of Court's order dated
18th August, 1993 passed by the learned Single Judge. According to the
. appellant, non-delivery of possession of the land had vitiated the Notification
under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act so as to make it a nullity. The G
Government was granted liberty to acquire the land in accordance with law
but that liberty was subject to handing over the derequisitioned land to the
respondent.
The appellant submitted that the publication of the Notification under H
1088 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A Section 4 of the Act I of 1894 without first delivering back possession of the
land to the respondent in terms of the court's order passed in Writ Petition
No.3 799 of 1992 amounted to practicing fraud by the government upon the
statute.
It was contended by the respondent before the Division Bench that
B since the Government had been granted liberty to take steps for acquisition
of the land and the Notification under Section 4 of the Act I of 1894 was
issued pursuant to grant of such liberty, there was no scope and reason for
the State Government to give back possession of the land to the appellant;
as a condition precedent for initiation of proceedings. As regards the
C declaration, it has been contended that the learned Single Judge sho.uld not
have decided the question of validity by relying on a printing mistake appearing
in the declaration which had been published in the newspaper because the
purported vagueness indicated by the learned Single Judge did not exist and
a real one as was apparent from the Notification itself and the declaration
published in the official gazette.
D
Both the notification under section 4 and declaration under section 6
have been reproduced in the earlier part of the judgment. The respondent
placed reliance on Sri Nripati Ghoshal v. Premavati Kapur & Ors., [1996] 5
SCC 386 (para 4) and First Land Acquisition Collector & Ors. v. Nirodhi
Prakash Gangoli & Anr., [2002] 4 SCC 160 (para 6) and contended that the
E State Government had power to initiate an acquisition proceeding by publishing
a Notification under Section 4 of the Act and in respect of any land which
is in the Government's possession '.:md, therefore, Notification published in
the instant case cannot be faulted with, on the ground as contended by the
appellant.
F
The learned counsel for the appellant also contended that delivery of
possession of the land in the facts ar.d circumstances of the present case was
a sine qua non for publishin,; the Notification under Section 4 of the Land
Acquisition Act.
G On the question of requirement of delivery of possession reliance has
been made on Raghunath & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors., AIR [(1988)
SC 1615 (para 9)] Hindustan Oil Mills Ltd. & Anr. v. Special Deputy Collector
(land Acquisition) AIR (1990) SC 731 (paras 8 & 9)] and State of West Bengal
v. Bireshwas Dutta Estate (P) Ltd.,[ (2000) 1 Calcutta Law Times 165(HC)
(para 37)].
H
DAULAT SINGH SURANA 1•. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J .) } 089
Reliance has also been placed on Sailendra Narayana Bhanja Deo v, A
State of Orissa, AIR (1956) SC 346 (para 8).
Analysis of the impugned judgment
The Division Bench carefully examined the pleadings, documents and
the judgments cited at the Bar. The Court came to a categorical finding that B
for the purpose of examining the validity of a Notification under Section 4 of
the Land Acquisition Act, the question of possession of land is absolutely
irrelevant; the examination should remain confined only to the question of
existence of public purpose. The Division Bench drew support for the
aforesaid view from the case of Nirodhi Prakash Gangoli. The Division
Bench also observed that neither the appellant had seriously contended that C
behind the proposed acquisition, the public purpose was absolutely absent;
nor did the learned Single Judge arrived at the conclusion that the proposed
acquisition was not for a notified public purpose.
The Government of West Bengal was empowered to take steps for D
acquisition of any land in any locality, if the same was needed for public
purpose under section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act. According to the
Division Bench, in absence of any bar, the Government was fully empowered
to publish a notification under Section 4 in respect of a piece of land which
is already in the government's possession. Thi! Division Bench observed
that the order dated 18th August, 1993 passed by the learned Single Judge E
was in ignorance of both the aforementioned statutory provisions and the
binding Division Bench judgment.
In Nirodhi Prakash Gangoli 's case (supra), exactly similar controversy
came before the Court for adjudication regarding physical possession. The
Court held as under: F
"6. It is indeed difficult for us to uphold the conclusion of the Division
Bench that acquisition is mala fide on the mere fact that physical
possession had not been delivered pursuant to the earlier directions
of a learned Single Judge of Calcutta High Court dated 25.8.1994. G
When the Court is called upon to examine the question as to whether
the acquisition is mala fide or not, what is necessary to be inquired
into and found out is, whether the purpose for which the acquisition
is going to be made, is a real purpose or a camouflage. By no stretch
of imagination, exercise of power for acquisition can be held to be
mala fide, so long as the purpose of acquisition continues and as has H
1090 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A already been stated, there existed emergency to acquire the premises
in question. The premises which were under occupation of the students
of the National Medical College, Calcutta, were obviously badly needed
for the College and the appropriate authority having failed in their
attempt earlier twice, the orders having been quashed by the High
Court, had taken the third attempt of issuing notification under Sections
B 4(1) and 17(4) of the Act, such acquisition cannot be held to be mala f
fide and, therefore, the conclusion of the Division Bench in the
impugned judgment that the acquisition is mala fide, must be set aside
and we accordingly set aside the same." •
C The High Court was correct and justified in holding that while examining
the validity of notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, the
question of possession of land was absolutely irrelevant.,
The Division Bench held that the order dated 18th August, 1993 was
. per incurium. The Court also observed that the learned Single Judge was
D wrong in holding that the publication of the said Notification under Section
4 was an act done in violation of the said order dated 18th August, 1993.
According to the Division Bench, the learned Single Judge proceeded on a
completely wrong premise that the land in question had been kept in possession
by the Government, even after formally derequisitioning the same; for, as a
matter of fact, the piece sought to be acquired, had never been derequisitioned
..
E after 30th January, 1959; it had ·rather stood a;,solutely vested in the
Government. The Division Bench clearly came to the conclusion that the
State Government's possession of the land never became illegal or unauthorized
by the operation of law.
F The Division Bench specifically observed that the declaration published
on 7th August, 1995 in the official gazette 'tas been produced before them.
The Division Bench observed that they were satisfied that the words 'partly
at the public expense and partly at the expense of within the aforesaid ward
published in the newspaper did not correctly reproduce the declaration issued
under section 6 of the Act. The official gazette had correctly incorporated
G that the la!ld was acquired at the public expense only. Therefore, the Division
Bench did not find any infirmity in Section 4 notification and in the declaration
dated 23rd June, 1995 made under Section 6 of.the Land Acquisition Act,
1894.
The Division Bench was also justified in coming to the conclusion that
H the appellant cannot be permitted to take advantage of some typographical
(
DAULAT SINGH SURANA 1•. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR (DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] J09 J
error in the newspaper particularly when in the official gazette as well as A
Notification under Section 4 and in the declaration of 23rd June, 1995 made
under Section 6 of the Act of 1894, no such mistake appeared. Therefore, the
submission of the appellant was totally devoid of any merit.
It may be pertinent to mention that the Division Bench was quite careful
about the rights of the appellant and various proceedings and orders passed B
in those proceedings. While taking into consideration all the relevant facts
. and circumstances, the Division Bench clearly observed as under and we
deem it appropriate to quote the relevant observation of the Division Bench:-
"We have already seen that there was an unbroken and continuous
valid requisition, which had ultimately merged in the acquisition notice C
dated 14th August, 1986. Therefore, to whatever rent compensation
or damages the respondents were entitled in law; they were always
and still are, at liberty to claim and realize the same from the Government,
in accordance with law. Regarding the propriety and necessity of the
publication of the notification dated 13th December, 1994, under section D
4 of the Act 1 of 1894, in the face of the Division Bench decision
dated 7th September, 1990 in F.M.A.T. No. 2224of1987, we do not
·:.. propose to express any opinion, lest we should allow the appellants
to challenge their own action, to the inevitable detriment of valuable
accrued right, if any, of the respondents. We only say that in view
of our decision to allow the appeal, and uphold the section 4 E
notification and consequent section 6 declaration, we do not think it
proper or necessary to pass any further order on the respondents'
said applications (C.A. Nos. 4592 and 5886 of 2001); and they shall
be deemed to be disposed of, with liberty to the respondents to claim
their dues, if any, before the appropriate forum, in accordance with F
law."
The Division Bench allowed the appeal and set aside the impugned
judgment of the learned Single Judge dated 2nd December, 1996. The Division
Bench has observed that the appellant would be entitled to recover rent,
compensation of rent to which he was entitled in law in appropriate G
proceedings. The appellant has failed to point out any infirmity as far as
Notification under Section 4 and consequent declaration under Section 6 of
the Act. Section 4 of the Notification is usually assailed on the ground of
public purpose. Therefore, we deem it appropriate to enumerate the concept
of Public Purpose and deal with the decided cases interpreting the scope and
H
1092 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A ambit of public purpose.
Public Purpose
Public Purpose has been defined in the Land Acquisition Act as under:-
"(f) the expression "public -purpose" includes -
B
(i) the provision of village-sites, or the extension, planned
development or improvement of existing village sites;
(ii) the provision of land for town or rural planning;
(iii) the provision of land for planned development of land from
c public funds in pursuance of any scheme or policy of Government
and subsequent disposal thereof in whole or in part in lease,
assignment or outright sale worth the object of securing further
development as planned;
(iv) the provision of land for a corporation owned or controlled by
D the State;
;-
(v) the provision of land for residential purposes to the poor or
landless or to persons residing in areas affected by natural
calamities, or to persons displaced to affected by reason of the
implementation of any scheme undertaken by Government, any
E local authority or a corporation owned or controlled by the State;
(vi) the provision of land for carrying out any educational, housing, ....
health or slum clearance scheme sponsored by Government, or
by any authority established by Government for carrying out any
such scheme, or, with the prior approval of the appropriate
F Government, by a local authority or a society registered under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860 {21 of 1860), or under any
corresponding law for the time being in force in a State, or a co-
operative society within the meaning of any law relating to co-
operative societies for the time being in force in any State;
G (vii) the provision of land for any other scheme of development
sponsored by Government or, with the prior approval of the
appropriate Government, by a local authority;
(viii) the provision of any premises or building for locating a public
office;
H
... DAULAT SINGH SURANA v. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DALVEER BHANDARI, J.) 1093
but does not include acquisition of land for Companies." A
Public purpose will include a purpose in which the general interest of
community as opposed to the interest of an individual is directly or indirectly
involved. Individual interest must give way to public interest as far as public
purpose in respect of acquisition of land is concerned.
B
In the Constitution of India, some guidelines can be traced as far as
public purpose is concerned in Article 37 of the Constitution. The provisions
contained in this Part (Directive Principles of the State Policy) shall not be
enforceable by any Court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless
fundamental in the govern~nce of the country. It shall be the duty of the C
State to apply these principles in making laws.
According to Article 39 of the Constitution, the State shall, in particular,
direct its policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the
material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve
the common good. The laws made for the purpose of securing the D
constitutional intention and spirits have to be for public purpose.
The term 'public purpose' has been defined in Black Law Dictiona1y
(Fifth Edition) as under:
"A public purpose or public business has for its objective the E
promotion of the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, security,
prosperity and contentment of all the inhabitants or residents within
a given political division, as, for example, a state, the sovereign powers
of which are exercised to promote such public purpose or public
business."
F
Public purpose is bound to vary with times and prevailing conditions
in the community or locality and, therefore, the legislature has left it to the
State (Government) to decide what is public purpose and also to declare the
need of a given land for the purpose. The legislature has left the discretion
to the Government regarding public purpose. The Government has the sole
and absolute discretion in the matter. G
In State of Bihar v. Kameshwar Singh reported in AIR ( 1952) SC 252
at page 259, a Constitution Bench of this Court considered the expression
'public purpose'. Mahajan, J. explained the expression 'public purpose' in the
following manner:
H
1094 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A "The expression "public purpose" is not capable of a precise definition
and has not a rigid meaning. It can only be defined by a process of
judicial inclusion and exclusion. In other words, the definition of the
expression is elastic and takes its colour from the statute in which it
occurs, the concept varying with the time and state of society and its
needs. The point to be determined in each case is whether the
B acquisition is in the general interest of the community as distinguished
from the private interest of an individual."
In that case, S. R. Das, J. observed as under:
"We must regard as public purpose all that will be calculated to
C promote the welfare of the people as envisaged in the Directive
Principles of State policy whatever else that expression may mean."
Almost a century ago, in Hamabai v. Secretary of State, reported in
(1911) 13 Born LR 1097, Batchelor, J. observed: "General definitions are, I
think, rather to be avoided where the avoidance is possible, and I make no
D attempt to define precisely the extent of the phrase 'public purpose' in the
lease; it is enough to say that, in my opinion, the phrase, whatever else it may
mean, must include a purpose, that is, an object or aim, in which the general 1
interest of the community, as opposed to the particular interest of individuals,
is directly and vitally concerned" received the approval of the Privy Council".
E The definition of public purpose has been relied in number of subsequent
decisions including the Constitution Bench judgment of this Court.
The concept of public purpose was dealt in great. detail in a leading
American case Munn v. Illinois reported in (1877) 94 US I 13: 24 L. Ed 77 and
p in some other cases. The doctrine declared is that property becomes clothed
with a public inter'est when used in a manner to make it of public consequence,
and affect the community at large and from such clothing the right of the
legislature is deduced to control the use of the property and to determine the
compensation which the owner may receive for it. Field, J. observed as
follows:
G
"The declaration of the Constitution of 1870, that private buildings
used for private' purposes shall be deemed public institutions, does
not make them so. The receipt and storage of grain in a building
erected by private means for that purpose does not constitute the
building apublic warehouse. There is no magic in the language,
H
,'
DAULAT SINGH SURANA v. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI. J.) } 095
though used in a constitutional convention, which can change a A
private business into a public one, or alter the character of the building
in which the business is transacted."
In United Community Services v. Omaha Nat. Bank 77 N.W.2d 576, 585,
162 Neb. 786, the Court observed that a public purpose has for its objective
the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, security, prosperity, B
contentment, and the general welfare of all the inhabitants.
In People ex rel. Adamowski v. Chicago R.R. Terminal Authority, 151
N.E.2d 311, 314, 14 III.2d 230 the Court observed that public purpose is not
static concept, but is flexible, and is capable of expansion to meet conditions
of complex society that were not within contemplation of framers of C
Constitution.
lnGreenv.Frazier, 176N.W. II, 17,44 N.D.395,theCourtobserved
that a public purpose or public business has for its objective the promotion
of the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, security, prosperity, and D
contentment of all the inhabitants or residents within a given political division,
as, for example, a state, the sovereign powers of which are exercised to
promote such public purpose or public business.
In the words of Lord Atkinson in Central Control Board v. Cannon
Brewery Co. Ltd (1919) A.C. 744, the power to take compulsorily raises by E
implication a right to payment.
The power of compulsory acquisition is described by the term "eminent
domain". This term seems to have been originated in 1525 by Hugo Grotius,
who wrote of this power in his work "De Jure Belli et Pacis" as follows :
F
"The property of subjects is under the eminent domain of the State,
so that the State or he who acts for it may use and even alienate and
destroy such property, not only in the case of extreme necessity, in
which even private persons have a right over the property of others,
but for ends of public utility, to which ends those who founded civil
society must be supposed to have intended that private ends should G
give way. But it is to be added that when this is done the State is
bound to make good the loss to those w!:" lose their property."
The Court observed that the requirement of public purpose is implicit
in compulsory acquisition of property by the State or, what is called, the
H
1096 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A exercise of its power of 'Eminent Domain'.
The Court further observed that the principle of compulsory acquisition
of property, says Cooley (in Vol. II at p. 113, Constitutional Limitations) is
founded on the superior claims of the whole community over an individual
citizen but is applicable only in those cases where private property is wanted
B that public use, or demanded by the public welfare and that no instance is
known in which it has been taken for the mere purpose of raising a revenue
by sale or otherwise and the exercise of such a power is utterly destructive
of individual right.
In The State of Bombay v. R.S. Nanji [1956] SCR 18, the Court observed
C that it is impossible to precisely define the expression 'public purpose'. In
each case all the facts and circumstances will require to be closely examined
in order to determine whether a public purpose has been established. Prima
facie, the Government is the best judge as to whether public purpose is
served by issuing a requisition order, but it is not the sole judge. The courts
D have the jurisdiction and it is their duty to determine the matter whenever a
question is raised whether a requisition order is or is not for a public purpose.
In the said case, the Court observed that the phrase 'public purpose'
includes a purpose, that is, an object or aim, in which the general interest of
the community, as opposed to the particular interest of individuals is directly
E and vitally concerned. It is impossible to define precisely the expression
'public purpose'. In each case all the facts and circumstances will require to
be closely examined to determine whether a public purpose has been
established.
In that case, the Court also referred to the following cases: The State
F ofBombay v. Bhanji Munji & Anr., [ 1955] l SCR 777 and The State of Bombay
v. Ali Gulshan, [1955] 2 SCR 867.
In Somawanti v. State of Punjab, [1963] 2 SCR 774, the Court observed
that public purpose must include an object in which the general interest of
G the community, as opposed to the particular interest of individuals, is directly
and vitally concerned. Public purpose is bound to change with the times and
the prevailing conditions in a given area and, therefore, it would not be a
practical proposition even to attempt an extensive definition of it. It is because
of this that the legislature has left it to the Government to say what is a public
purpose and also to declare the need of a given land for a public purpose.
H
DAULAT SINGH SUP.ANA"· FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DALVEER BHANDARI. J.] } 097
The Constitution Bench of this Court in Somawanti (supra) observed A
that whether in a particular case the purpose for which land was needed was ·
a public purpose er not was for the Government to be satisfied about and the
declaration of the Government would be final subject to one exception, namely
that where there was a colourable exercise of the power the declarations
would be open to challenge at the instance of the aggrieved party.
B
In Babu Barkya Thakur v. The State of Bombay & Ors., [ 1961] 1 SCR
128, the Court observed as under:
"It will thus be noticed that the expression 'public purpose' has been
used in its generic sense of including any purpose in which even a
fraction of the community may be interested or by which it may be C
benefited."
The Constitution Bench in Satya Narain Singh v. District Engineer,
P. WD., Ballia and Anr., reported in AIR (1962) SC 1161 while describing
public service observed :-
D
"It is undoubtedly not easy to define what is "public service" and
each activity has to be considered by itself for deciding whether it is
carried on as a public service or not. Certain activities will undoubtedly
be regarded as public services, as for instance, those undertaken in
the exercise of the sovereign power of the State or of governmental E
functions. About these there can be no doubt. Similarly a pure business
undertaking though run by the Government cannot be classified as
public service. But where a particular activity concerns a public utility
a question may arise whether it falls in the first or the second category.
The mere fact that that activity may be useful to the public would not
necessarily render it public service. An activity however beneficial to F
the people and however useful cannot, in our opinion, be reasonably
regarded as public service if it is of a type which may be carried on
' by private individuals and is carried on by government with a distinct
profit motive. It may be that plying stage carriage buses even though
for hireis an activity undertaken by the Government for ensuring the G
people a cheap, regular and reliable mode of transport and is in that
sense beneficial to the public".
In Arnold Rodricks v. State of Maharashtra, reported in [ 1966] 3 SCR
885, while Justice Wanchoo and Justice Shah dissenting from judgment
observed that there can be no doubt that the phrase 'public purpose' has not H
1098 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A a static connotation, which is fixed for all times. There can also be no doubt
that it is not possible to lay down a definition of what public purpose is,
particularly as the concept of public purpose may change from time to time.
There is no doubt however that public purpose involves in it an element of
general interest of the community and whatever furthers the general interest
B must be regarded as a public purpose.
In Bhim Singhji v. Union of India, (1981] I SCC 166, as per Sen, J., the
concept of public purpose necessarily implies that it should be a law for the
acquisition or requisition of property in the interest of the general public, and
the purpose of such a law directly and vitally subserve public interest.
c Broadly speaking the expression 'public purpose' would however include.
a purpose in which the general interest of the community as opposed to the
particular interest of the individuals is directly and virtually concerned.
In Laxman Rao Bapurao Jadhav v. State of Maharashtra reported in
D (1997] 3 SCC 493, this Court observed that "it is for the State Government to
decide whether the land is needed or is likely to be needed for a public
purpose and whether it is suitable or adaptable for the purpose for which the
acquisition was sought to be made. The mere fact that the authorized officer
· was empowered to inspect and find out whether the land would be adaptable
for the public purpose, it is needed or is likely to be needed, does not take
E away the power of the Government to take a decision ultimately".
In Scindia Employees' Union v. State of Maharashtra & Ors., reported
in [ 1996] 10 SCC 150, this Court observed as under:
"The very object of compulsory acquisition is in exercise of the
F power of eminent domain by the State against the wishes or willingness
of the owner or person interested .in the land. Therefore, so long as
the public purpose subsists the exercise of the power of eminent
domain cannot be questioned. Publication of declaration under Section
6 is conclusive evidence of public purpose. In view of the finding
that it is a question of expansion of dockyard for defence purpose,
G it is a public purpose."
The right of eminent domain is the right of the State to reassert either
temporarily or pennanently its dominion over any piece of land on account
of public exigency and for public good.
H
DAULAT SINGH SURANA v. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, l.) J099
In the case of Coffee Board v. Commissioner of Commercial Taxes A
reported in [l 988] 3 SCC 263, the Court observed that the eminent domain is
an essential attribute of sovereignty of every State and authorities are universal
in support of the definition of eminent domain as the power of the sovereign
to take property for public use without the owner's consent upon making just
compensation.
B
The power of eminent domain is not exercisable in Anglo-Saxon
jurisprudence except on condition of payment of compensation. In V.G.
Ramachandran 's Law of Land Acquisition and Compensation (Eighth Edition)
by G.C. Mathur, it is stated (at page 1)-
"ln United States, the power of eminent domain is founded both C
on the Federal (Fifth Amendment) and on the State Constitutions.
The scope of the doctrine in America stands considerably
circumscribed by the State Constitutions. Now, the Constitution
limits the power to taking for a public purpose and prohibits the
exercise of power of eminent domain without just compensation. The D
process of exercising the power of eminent domain now is commonly
referred to as 'condemnation' or 'expropriation'."
A seven-Judge Bench of this Court in The State of Karnataka & Anr.
v. Shri Ranganatha Reddy & Anr, reported in [1977] 4 SCC 471, explained the
expression 'public purpose' in the following words: E
"6. It is indisputable and beyond the pale of any controversy now as
held by this Court in several decisions including the decision in the
case of His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalaven1 v. State
of Kera/a, [l 973] Supp. I S.C.R. I - popularly known as Fundamt:ntal
Rights case - that any law providing for acquisition of property must F
be for a public purpose. Whether the law of acquisition is for public
purpose or not is a justifiable issue. But the decision in that regard
is not to be given by any detailed inquiry or investigation of facts.
The intention of the legislature has to be gathered mainly from the
Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Act and its Preamble. The G
matter has to be examined with reference to the various provisions of
the Act, its context and set up, the purpose of acquisition has to be
culled out therefrom and then it has to be judged whether the
acquisition is for a public purpose within the meaning of Article 3 J(2)
and the law providing for such acquisition.
H
1100 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 8 S.C.R.
A 61. When we ascertain the content of 'public purpose', we have to
bear the above factors in mind which mean that acquisition of road
transport undertakings by the State will undoubtedly be a public
purpose. Indeed, even in England, 'public purposes' have been defined
to mean such 'purposes' of the administration of the government of
the country (p. 228, Words & Phrases Legally defined, II Edn.).
B Theoretically, or even otherwise, there is no warrant for linking up
public purpose with State necessity, or in the court throwing off the
State's declaration of public purposes to make an economic research
on its own. It is indeed significant that in Section 40 (b) of the Land
Acquisition Act, 1894, the concept of 'public use: took in acquisition
c for the construction of some work even for the benefit of a company,
provided such work as likely to prove useful to the public. Even the
American Constitution, in the 5th Amendment, uses the expression
'public use' and it ha~ been held in India in Kameshwar that 'public
purpose' is wider than 'public use'."
D Ambiguity, indefiniteness and vagueness of public purpose are usually
the grounds on which notifications under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition
Act are assailed. 1 '
Public purpose cannot and should not be precisely defined and its
scope and ambit be limited as far as acquisition of land for the public purpose
E .. is concerned. Public purpose is not static. It also changes with the passage
of time, need and requirements of the community. Broadly speaking, public
purpose means the general interest of the community as opposed to the
interest of an individual.
F The power of compulsory acquisition as described by the term 'eminent
domain' can be exercised only in the interest and for the welfare of the people.
The concept of public purpose should include the matters, such as, safety,
security, health, welfare and prosperity of the community or public at large.
'\
The concept of 'eminent domain' is an essential attribute of every State.
G This concept is based on the fundamental principle that the interest and claim
of the whole community is always superior to the interest of an individual.
Public purpose for which the premises was required in the instant case
was not questioned seriously. As a matter of fact, the State of West Bengal
has been using the premises in question for more than six decades for the
H safety and security of the people by having an office of the Deputy
.r
DAULAT SINGH SURAN A v.. FIRST LAND ACQUISITION COLLECTOR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 1101
Commissioner of Police (Security Control). Therefore, by no stretch of A
imagination, it can be said that the premises was not required by the State
Government for the interest and welfare of the people or there was no public
purpose involved· in acquiring the premises in question.
We have heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the respondent
at length. We have also carefully examined the pleadings, documents, B
impugned judgments and other judgments cited at the Bar. We see no reason
to interfere with the well-reasoned judgment passed by the Division Bench
of the Calcutta High Court, particularly, when the Division Bench had given
liberty to the appellant to recover rent, compensation or damages in appropriate
proceedings in accordance with law. The appeal being devoid of any merit C
is accordingly dismissed.
In the facts and circumstances of the case, we direct the parties to bear
their own costs.
v.s.s. Appeal dismisse~.
r
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