SC: No legal right if property is acquired for public use

The Supreme Court has ruled that landowners whose properties are acquired for public purpose cannot invoke the right to livelihood to demand rehabilitation or alternative land as a matter of legal right.

- Utkarsh Anand

In a significant verdict on the scope of Article 21 (right to life and livelihood) in land acquisition cases, the court said the Constitution guarantees fair compensation for such acquisition, but not rehabilitation beyond what is provided in law or specific policies.