The Supreme Court on December 2, 2025, dismissed a set of curative petitions filed by landowners challenging earlier rulings in a long-running land acquisition dispute. The court made it clear that the case did not meet the strict legal standards required for reopening a final judgment.
The petitions were filed by S.T. Krishne Gowda and another petitioner against the Special Land Acquisition Officer and others, seeking reconsideration of judgments already examined through review proceedings.
Read also:- Redefining Aravallis: Supreme Court Steps In, But Will Monday’s Hearing Freeze Mining Across the Region?
Background of the Case
The dispute traces its roots to compensation and issues arising out of land acquisition proceedings. After losing their civil appeals, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court through review petitions. Those review pleas were also dismissed.
As a last legal option, the petitioners filed curative petitions-an extraordinary remedy available only in rare situations where grave injustice is shown. However, according to the court record, the petitions suffered from procedural defects that were never corrected, despite repeated communication from the Registry.
A curative petition is the final window for relief after dismissal of a review petition. The Supreme Court has held that such petitions are to be entertained only in exceptional cases-such as when there is a violation of principles of natural justice or when a judge failed to disclose a conflict of interest.
These principles were laid down in the landmark judgment of Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra, which continues to guide the court while dealing with curative pleas.
Read also:- J&K High Court Pulls Up Magistrate for Issuing Warrants After Cheque Bounce Settlement
Court’s Observation
Although the petitions were defective and could have been rejected outright for non-prosecution, the bench chose to examine them on merits.
The court noted that the petitions failed to satisfy the strict conditions required for invoking its curative jurisdiction. As the bench observed, the case did not fall “within the parameters indicated by this Court” for entertaining a curative petition.
In simple terms, the judges found no procedural unfairness, legal error of exceptional gravity, or miscarriage of justice that would justify reopening the concluded matter.
Read also:- Madras High Court Defers Plea to Halt ‘Parasakthi’ Release, Seeks Report From Writers’ Body
Decision of the Court
The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India, headed by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, unanimously dismissed all three curative petitions.
The court ordered that:
“The Curative Petitions are dismissed.”
It further clarified that all pending applications connected with these petitions would also stand disposed of automatically.
The order was passed by circulation, meaning the judges considered the case based on the case records without a physical court hearing.
Case Title: S.T. Krishne Gowda & Anr. vs. Special Land Acquisition Officer & Anr.
Case No.: Curative Petition (C) Diary No. 12823/2025 and connected matters
Case Type: Curative Petition (Civil)
Decision Date: December 2, 2025
