The Executive Engineer, Medium Project Division, Osmanabad And ORS v. Anuradha Dada Yadav

1 941-CA-473-17

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 473 OF 2017 IN FAST/16110/2016 THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, MEDIUM PROJECT DIVISION, OSMANABAD AND OTHERS

VERSUS

SARJERAO SAHEBRAO SARDE ...

Advocate for Applicants : Mr. V. S. Badakh.

Advocate for Respondent sole : Mr. Shaikh Shoyab. ...

WITH CA/475/2017 IN FAST/15628/2016 WITH CA/477/2017 IN FAST/16113/2016 ...

CORAM : K.K. SONAWANE, J.

DATED : 12TH DECEMBER, 2017.

Order :- Heard learned counsel for applicant- Acquiring Body and learned counsel for respondent (original claimant) as well as learned AGP for respondents No. 2 and 3. Perused the applications. 2.

The applicant-Acquiring Body moved the present applications for condonation of delay in filing the first appeals against impugned Judgment and Award passed by the learned Reference Court in Land Acquisition References filed under section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. According to learned counsel for the applicant, impugned Judgment and Award passed by the Reference Court is erroneous, illegal and is not as per the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The applicant is Body corporate having its independent entity. After procuring the funds for court fees appeals came to be filed, however, there is delay in filing the appeals. According to learned counsel for applicant, delay so caused is not intentional or deliberate, but caused due to compliance of official process. Therefore, he prayed to condone the delay.

3.

The learned AGP for applicants No. 2 and 3 submits for suitable order in the interest of justice.

2 941-CA-473-17 4.

The learned counsel for respondent (original claimant) has filed affidavit-in-reply on record wherein objection raised that the satisfactory reasons for such inordinate and huge delay caused for filing first appeal has not been properly explained by the applicant. He requested to reject the application.

5.

I have given anxious consideration to the submissions advanced on behalf of both sides. Admittedly, matters pertain to the land acquisition proceedings involving public funds. The applicantAcquiring Body is the Government Agency looking after the irrigation projects. In view of nature of the subject matter and the reasons mentioned in the application, I find that reasonable opportunity is essential to be granted to applicant- Acquiring Body to ventilate it's grievance in the Appellate Forum for redressal. Therefore, delay caused for filing First Appeal is required to be condoned. Accordingly, applications for condonation of delay stand allowed in terms of prayer clause 'B'. The delay of 582 days caused in preferring the First Appeal against impugned Judgment and Award is hereby condoned. The civil applications are disposed of in above terms accordingly. Registry to take requisite steps for further process.

6.

After registration of appeals, issue notice to respondent (original claimant/s).

7.

Mr. Shiakh Shoyab, learned counsel, waives service of notice for respondent (original claimant/s).

8.

Meanwhile, call for record and proceedings from the concerned Reference Court.

9.

List the matters for admission in due course. [ K. K. SONAWANE ] JUDGE rrd.