Hardip Singh Mann And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others

2023:PHHC:130365

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-20076-2023 Date of Decision: October 09, 2023 HARDIP SINGH MANN AND OTHERS ......Petitioners

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS ....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA

Present:

Mr. Amit Sharma, Advocate for the petitioners. Ms. Lavanya Paul, DAG, Punjab.

**** HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL) By way of present writ petition, limited prayer made at the instance of petitioners is that a reference petition i.e. LAC-01-2018 titled as "Improvement Trust Phagwara Vs. Paramvir Singh Mann and Ors." invoking Section 31(2) of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for deposit of the amount of compensation with the Reference Court is pending consideration for the past almost six years and thus, a direction be issued to the Reference Court for its early disposal. 2.

I have gone through the short orders/zimni orders placed on record as Annexure P-6 (colly). A perusal thereof shows that for the past almost two and a half years, the reference petition is pending awaiting the outcome of efforts of compromise being made between the parties. The perusal of record reveals that delay in disposal of the reference petition is burdening the State exchequer towards the payment of liability of statutory interest besides, depriving the petitioners-landowners of their right to receive compensation subject to determination by Reference Court.

2023:PHHC:130365 CWP-20076-2023 -23.

In view of the above, the Reference Court is requested to dispose of the reference petition i.e. LAC-01-2018 as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one year from today. 4.

Disposed of in the aforesaid terms.

09.10.2023 ( HARKESH MANUJA ) tejwinder JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No