Bombay High Court
Masna Balaji Palnate (Died) Thr Lrs ... vs The State Of Maharashtra And Ors on 7 February, 2020
Author: K.K. Sonawane
Bench: K.K. Sonawane
1 994-CA-14165-19
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
994 CIVIL APPLICATION NO.14165 OF 2019
IN FAST/11275/2019
MASNA BALAJI PALNATE (DIED) THR LRS MANGALBAI AND ORS
VERSUS
THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS
...
Advocate for Applicants : Mr. H. B. Nandagavale h/f Mr. V.G. Sakolkar
AGP for Respondents No.1 and 2 : Mr. S.P. Tiwari
...
WITH CA/6165/2019 IN FAST/16390/2018
WITH CA/6166/2019 IN FAST/16468/2018
WITH CA/6167/2019 IN FAST/16462/2018
WITH CA/6168/2019 IN FAST/16458/2018
WITH CA/6169/2019 IN FAST/16470/2018
WITH CA/6170/2019 IN FAST/16455/2018
WITH CA/6171/2019 IN FAST/16477/2018
WITH CA/6172/2019 IN FAST/16474/2018
WITH CA/6173/2019 IN FAST/16465/2018
WITH CA/6174/2019 IN FAST/16472/2018
WITH CA/8906/2019 IN FAST/16991/2018
...
CORAM : K.K. SONAWANE, J.
DATED : 07th FEBRUARY, 2020.
ORDER :-
1. Heard learned counsel for the applicants-claimants and learned AGP for respondents No. 1 and 2. Despite service of notice, no appearance is caused on behalf of respondent No. 3-Acquiring Body.
2. Perused the applications and relevant documents produced on record. It has been submitted on behalf of the applicants that delay caused in filing the appeal is not intentional or deliberate but it caused due to unavoidable circumstances as well financial crises for filing the present appeals. A reasonable opportunity be given to applicants for seeking relief of enhancement of compensation in these matters. The learned counsel further added that applicants - appellants will not claim statutory benefits as well as amount of interest as laid down in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for the period of delay sought to be condoned, in case of success of appeals on merit. Hence, learned counsel for applicants prayed for condonation of delay.
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3. The learned AGP for respondents-State Authorities submits that there is inordinate delay, which has not been explained satisfactorily, therefore, the same cannot be condoned and prayed for rejection of applications. Despite service of notice, respondent - Acquiring Body remained absent, hence, there is no opportunity to hear respondent No. 3-Acquiring Body.
4. Admittedly, the matters pertain to enhancement of compensation for the lands under acquisition. The learned Reference Court partly allowed the Reference Petitions filed by the applicants under section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The applicants also intend to challenge the findings for awarding meagre compensation amount and also intend to seek enhancement of compensation.
5. In view of the aforesaid submissions and for the reasons mentioned in the applications that the delay so caused in filing the appeals was only due to unavoidable circumstances as well financial crises, I find it justifiable to give reasonable opportunity to the applicants-appellants in the interest of justice to ventilate grievances before the Appellate Forum. There is sufficient cause to allow the applications for condonation of delay. In addition, the applicants- claimants have shown their willingness / inclination that they will not claim statutory benefits as well as amount of interest as mentioned above. In such circumstances, by imposing aforesaid fetter of waiver of statutory benefits and interest amount etc. on the part of applicants- appellants, there would not be any impediment to condone the delay. The applications for condonation of delay required to be allowed.
6. In sequel, applications are allowed in terms of prayer clause "B". The delay caused to present the appeals against the impugned Judgment and Award stands condoned subject to condition that applicants-appellants shall not claim statutory benefits as well as amount of interest as laid down in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for the delayed period allowed to be condoned, in case, any enhanced compensation is awarded by this Court after adjudication of appeals on merit.
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7. Pursuant to aforesaid waiver of statutory claim, the applicants- appellants shall furnish undertakings to that effect and place it on record of the appeals to enable this Court to take note of the same, while decision of the appeals on merit. Registry to take requisite steps for further process.
8. The civil applications are allowed in aforesaid terms and stand disposed of.
9. On registration of appeal, issue notice to the respondents. Learned AGP waives service of notice for respondents - State authorities.
10. Meanwhile, call for record and proceedings from the concerned learned Reference Court.
11. List the appeals for admission in due course.
Sd/-
[ K. K. SONAWANE ] JUDGE MTK ::: Uploaded on - 10/02/2020 ::: Downloaded on - 08/06/2020 04:44:27 :::