Kerala High Court
Dr.P.A.Arunkumar vs The State Of Kerala on 20 February, 2009
Author: S.Siri Jagan
Bench: S.Siri Jagan
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
WP(C).No. 748 of 2009(L)
1. DR.P.A.ARUNKUMAR, S/O.PRABHAKARAN,
... Petitioner
Vs
1. THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY
... Respondent
2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR,
3. THE DEPUTY COLLECTOR (LA)/LAND
4. THE SECRETARY,
5. THE LAND REVENUE COMMISSIONER OF KERALA,
For Petitioner :SRI.G.SUDHEER
For Respondent :SRI.K.V.SOHAN
The Hon'ble MR. Justice S.SIRI JAGAN
Dated :20/02/2009
O R D E R
S.SIRI JAGAN, J.
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W.P(C).No.748 of 2009
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Dated this the 20th day of February, 2009
J U D G M E N T
The petitioner's land was notified for acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act. Alleging that he has not been issued with a notice under Section 5A, he approached this Court. By Ext.P1 judgment, this Court directed the Land Acquisition Officer to hear the petitioner under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act and to forward his recommendation to the Land Revenue Commissioner. The petitioner is working at Bangalore. The petitioner was served with Ext.P2 notice dated 22.11.2008 directing the petitioner to appear for a hearing and adduce evidence in the enquiry to be conducted on 25.11.2008, on 6.12.2008. By Ext.P3 dated 8.12.2008, the petitioner requested the 3rd respondent for an opportunity to adduce evidence in person in view of the fact that the notice was received after the date of hearing. Ext.P3 was not considered. On the recommendation of the Land Acquisition Officer without hearing the petitioner the Land Revenue Commissioner issued Ext.P5 order. It is under the above circumstances, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking the following reliefs.
"i) issue a writ of Certiorari calling for the records leading to Ext.P5 order and quash the same, as regards petitioner.
ii) direct respondents 3 to 5 to afford petitioner an opportunity to adduce evidence to his objections in person and to conduct fresh enquiry under section 5A of L.A. Act and pass fresh orders are w.p.c.748/09 2 passed."
2. The learned Government Pleader submits that notice was sent by ordinary post on 22.11.2008 and therefore, it is not possible to ascertain whether the same has been served on the petitioner before 25.11.2008. Admittedly the notice has been sent to Bangalore. Notice is dated 22.11.2008. That being so, the petitioner's contention that he received it on 6.12.2008 is very probable. In the above circumstances, I am satisfied that as directed in Ext.P1 judgment the petitioner should be given another opportunity to adduce evidence. Accordingly, the recommendation on the basis of which Ext.P5 was passed and Ext.P5 are quashed. The 3rd respondent is directed to give another opportunity to the petitioner pursuant to Ext.P1 judgment. The petitioner shall appear before the 3rd respondent on 26.2.2009 ready with all evidence, for a hearing. The 3rd respondent shall, if it is convenient to him/her, permit the petitioner to adduce evidence and hear the petitioner on that date. If there is any inconvenience for the 3rd respondent, he/she shall assign another date for such hearing. Either on 26.2.2009 or on the postponed date, the 3rd respondent shall hear the petitioner under Section 5A on the basis of the evidence adduced by the petitioner. Thereafter, the 3rd respondent shall forward his recommendation to the Land Revenue Commissioner and the Land Revenue Commissioner (or whoever is in charge of that office) shall w.p.c.748/09 3 pass final orders and communicate the same to the petitioner without delay. The 4th respondent shall also be present before the 3rd respondent on 26.2.2009 if the 4th respondent wants to be heard in the matter.
The writ petition is disposed of as above.
Sd/-
sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE
///True copy///
P.A. to Judge