Supreme Court reserves order on plea challenging Ayodhya land acquisition for housing scheme

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Published 26 October 2026

Case: Shri Saryu Nagar Vikas Samiti v. State of Uttar Pradesh
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana
Statutes: Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Source: Verdictum

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition by Shri Saryu Nagar Vikas Samiti challenging land acquisition for a residential housing scheme in Ayodhya. The plea contested the Allahabad High Court's direction to determine compensation under the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965, arguing for broader benefits under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

The ratio decidendi will be determined upon the Supreme Court's final judgment. The petitioner argued that land acquisition proceedings must fully comply with all safeguards of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, beyond just monetary compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement, including social impact assessment and restrictions on acquiring multi-crop agricultural land.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates should be prepared to argue for the comprehensive application of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, including provisions like Social Impact Assessment, in land acquisition cases. Litigants affected by land acquisition should ensure all statutory safeguards, not just compensation, are considered by authorities.

Key Legal Takeaways

1The Supreme Court is considering the extent to which the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, applies to acquisitions under state-specific housing acts.
2The petitioner argued for the inclusion of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and restrictions on multi-crop agricultural land acquisition.
3The case highlights the ongoing legal debate regarding the interplay between central and state land acquisition laws.

The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the Shri Saryu Nagar Vikas Samiti, challenging the land acquisition process for a residential housing scheme in Ayodhya. The petition appeals against an order of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, dated August 6, which had directed the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad to determine compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement benefits under the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965.

The Legal Issue The core legal issue revolves around the applicability and scope of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act), in land acquisition proceedings initiated under state-specific legislation like the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965. The petitioner, represented by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, contended that the authorities could not limit the benefits to mere monetary compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement. He argued that other crucial safeguards enshrined in the 2013 Act, such as provisions relating to social impact assessment (SIA), the use of previously acquired land, and restrictions on the acquisition of multi-crop agricultural land, must also be applied.

Court's Reasoning The Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana, heard detailed submissions from both the petitioner and the state government, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati. The Allahabad High Court had previously asked the authority to deal with the issues in accordance with the legal principles laid down in its judgment, including those contained in the 2013 Act. The Supreme Court has now reserved its verdict, indicating a thorough consideration of the arguments presented regarding the comprehensive application of the 2013 Act's provisions.

What Follows The Supreme Court's reserved order means that a final judgment will be pronounced at a later date. This judgment will clarify the extent to which the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, are binding on land acquisition proceedings carried out under state-specific acts, particularly concerning aspects beyond direct compensation, such as social impact assessments and land use restrictions. The outcome will have significant implications for future land acquisition projects and the rights of affected landowners across the country.