Raghvander Singh v. Union Of India & ANR.

$~3 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 16779/2024 RAGHVANDER SINGH .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Rachit Khandelwal, Mr. Rohan Aggarwal, Mr. A. Singh, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR.

.....Respondent Through:

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pathak, Standing Counsel with Ms. K.K. Kiran Pathak, Mr. Sunil Kumar Jha, Mr. Mod. Sueb Akhtar, Advocates for R-1.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NITIN WASUDEO SAMBRE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANISH DAYAL

O R D E R

% 13.08.2025 1.

We have heard the respective counsels for some time. 2.

The issue which warrants consideration before this Court is whether reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 ('Act of 1894') is still pending with respondent, and whether the same can be directed to be forwarded to the competent authority for its adjudication. 3.

Though a copy of reference under Section 18 is placed at Annexure P2, it is the contention of counsel for petitioner that the index depicting the acknowledgment from the office of Land Acquisition Collector ('LAC') is in custody of petitioner and, if so required, same can be made available to counsel appearing for respondent no.1/Union of India (UOI) or LAC. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/08/2025 at 12:33:36

4.

Apart from above, it is claimed that the reminder dated 23rd February 2023, at Annexure P-3 has the acknowledgement of respondent no.1, a fact which is borne out of record and not disputed by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pathak, counsel appearing for respondent no.1.

5.

In this background, we deem it appropriate to dispose of the present petition.

6.

We permit the petitioner to appear before the LAC on 25th August 2025, along with original acknowledgement qua the submission of reference under Section 18 of the Act of 1894, to the LAC. 7.

Upon satisfaction, the LAC shall forthwith forward the same for its adjudication as per the scheme of Section 18 of the Act of 1894, within a period of two weeks thereafter.

8.

Accordingly, petition is disposed of.

9.

Pending applications, if any, are rendered infructuous. 10.

Order be uploaded on the website of this Court. NITIN WASUDEO SAMBRE, J ANISH DAYAL, J AUGUST 13, 2025/RK/zb The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/08/2025 at 12:33:36