2011 (8) TMI 1107 - SC - Indian Laws

Whether Section 110 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, as amended by the Karnataka Land Reforms amendment Act, 1973, (Act 1 of 1974), which came into effect from 01.03.1974, read with Section 79 B of the said Act, introduced by amending Act 1 of 1974, violates the basic structure of the Constitution, in so far as it confers power on the Executive Government, a delegatee of the Legislature, of withdrawal of exemption of Linaloe plantation, without hearing and without reasons? Whether the Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996, (the Acquisition Act), is protected by Article 31C of the Constitution? Whether the true interpretation of Article 300A of the Constitution, the said Act is violative of the said Article in so far as no specific compensation prescribed for the acquisition of 468 acres of Linaloe plantation, and, after deduction of liabilities and payment of compensation for the artefacts, no balance may and/or is likely to exist for payment of such compensation, as a result of which, whether the Act really is expropriatory in nature? Whether on true interpretation of Article 300A of the Constitution, the said Act is violative of Article 300A as the said Article is not, by itself, a source of Legislative power, but such power of the State Legislature being traceable only to Entry 42 of List III of Schedule VII to the Constitution viz., Acquisition and Requisition of Property , which topic excludes expropriation and confiscation of property? If Article 300A of the Constitution is construed as providing for deprivation of property without any compensation at all, or illusory compensation, and hence providing for expropriation and confiscation of property, whether the said Article would violate the rule of law and would be an arbitrary and unconscionable violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, thus violating the basic structure of the Constitution?

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Validity of Section 110 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961.
2. Validity of the notification dated 08.03.1994 issued under Section 110 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961.
3. Constitutional validity of the Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate (Acquisition & Transfer) Act, 1996.
4. Claim for enhanced compensation and the scope of Article 300A of the Constitution of India.

Detailed Analysis:

Part I: Validity of Section 110 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 and the Notification Dated 08.03.1994

Arguments by the Company:
- The Company argued that the lands were purchased when exempted from the Land Reforms Act under Section 107(1)(vi).
- Section 110 provided unfettered and unguided power to the Executive, making it void for excessive delegation of legislative powers.
- The retrospective withdrawal of exemption without reasons was challenged.

Arguments by the State:
- The State contended that the validity of Section 110 was not questioned before the High Court on the grounds of excessive delegation.
- The Land Reforms Act, including Section 110, was placed in the IXth Schedule, making it immune from challenges under Articles 14 and 19.
- The Company lacked locus standi as it had not perfected its title over the properties.

Court's Analysis:
- The Court examined the legislative policy and the scheme of the Land Reforms Act, emphasizing that Section 110 was guided by the policy laid down by the state legislature.
- The exemption under Section 107(1)(vi) was conditional and subject to Section 110.
- The notification dated 08.03.1994 was issued in the official gazette, fulfilling the legal requirement.

Conclusion:
- The Court upheld the validity of Section 110 and the notification dated 08.03.1994, rejecting the contention of excessive delegation of legislative powers.

Part II: Constitutional Validity of the Acquisition Act

Arguments by the Company:
- The Company argued that the Act did not protect agrarian reforms and was not saved by Article 31A.
- The Act was repugnant to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and required Presidential assent under Article 254(2).

Arguments by the State:
- The State contended that the Act was enacted in public interest for preserving Roerich's Estate and establishing an Art Gallery-cum-Museum.
- The Act primarily fell under Entry 18 List II and incidentally under Entry 42 List III, with the dominant purpose being agrarian reforms.

Court's Analysis:
- The Court found that the Acquisition Act primarily aimed at preserving and protecting Roerich's Estate, a measure of agrarian reforms.
- The Act was protected by Article 31A after obtaining the President's assent, making it immune from challenges under Articles 14 and 19.
- The Act did not require Presidential assent under Article 254(2) as it was not repugnant to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

Conclusion:
- The Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Acquisition Act, finding no repugnancy with the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

Part III: Article 300A of the Constitution and the Acquisition Act

Arguments by the Company:
- The Company argued that Article 300A should include the principles of eminent domain, requiring public purpose and compensation.
- The compensation provided was illusory and the Act was expropriatory in nature.

Arguments by the State:
- The State contended that Article 300A did not explicitly require compensation and the legislative history showed an intention to do away with the requirement.
- The amount provided under the Act was not illusory and was justified by the legislative policy.

Court's Analysis:
- The Court examined the legislative history and judicial pronouncements, concluding that the right to property was no longer a fundamental right but a constitutional right under Article 300A.
- The requirement of public purpose was a pre-condition for deprivation of property under Article 300A.
- The right to claim compensation was inbuilt in Article 300A, and the State had to justify the compensation on judicially justiciable standards.

Conclusion:
- The Court held that the Acquisition Act was valid under Article 300A, and the compensation provided was not illusory.
- The Court directed the notified authority to disburse the compensation to the legitimate claimants and use the land for the intended purpose.

Final Judgment:
- The appeals were dismissed, and the validity of Section 110 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, the notification dated 08.03.1994, and the Acquisition Act were upheld.
- The Court emphasized that deprivation of property must meet the requirements of public purpose and justifiable compensation under Article 300A.