State on ground of delay and laches cannot evade its legal responsibility towards those from whom private property has been expropriated. While the right to property is no longer a fundamental right, it is pertinent to note that at the time of dispossession of the subject land, this right was still included in part III of the Constitution. Right against deprivation of property unless in accordance with procedure established by law, continues to be a constitutional right under Art. 300-A. It is cardinal principle of rule of law, that nobody can be deprived of liberty or property without due process, or authorisation of law. When it comes to subject of private property, high threshold of legality must be met, to dispossess an individual of their property, and even more so when done by State.
[Sukh Dutt Ratra v. State of H.P., (2022) 7 SCC 508]