Impact of Delay and Nullity on Land Acquisition Awards Passed for Deceased Claimants

sketch of the Bombay High Court
Case
MAHRASHTRA KRISHNA VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION v. MARUTI LAXMAN KHEDKAR AND ORS. (Bombay High Court, 22-09-2026)
Law
Code of Civil Procedure, Land Acquisition Act, Limitation Act.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Examination of whether an award passed in favor of a deceased sole claimant without substitution constitutes a nullity.
  • Application of Order XXII of the Code of Civil Procedure to land acquisition reference proceedings.
  • Analysis of the impact of an inordinate delay of 2,958 days when challenging an adjudication that is void ab initio.
  • Distinction between an erroneous decree subject to limitation and a true nullity that cannot be cured by the passage of time.
  • Judicial interpretation of the court's fundamental authority and jurisdiction when rendering judgments involving deceased parties.