Reviewed case brief

MRF Ltd. v Assistant Commissioner (Assessment) Sales Tax and Ors.

(2006) 8 SCC 702

## Summary

legitimate-expectationpolicy-changepublic-interestprocedural-entitlement
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
2006
Subjects
Administrative Law
Reviewed
2026-07-20

Rule established

A legitimate expectation arising from a settled practice, policy, or clear representation of a public authority can be defeated by a change in policy made bona fide in the larger public interest; the doctrine of legitimate expectation does not confer a substantive, indefeasible right, but only a procedural entitlement to fair treatment, including a hearing or reasoned justification, before the expectation is disappointed.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (2006) 8 SCC 702; standard casebook authority on the limits of legitimate expectation against bona fide policy change, cross-verify citation before exam use

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.