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Issues:
1. Land acquisition appeal regarding enhancement of compensation. 2. Delay in filing the appeal and application for condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. 3. Reconciling the principles of equality before the law for the State and private parties in condonation of delay cases. Analysis: 1. The case involves a land acquisition appeal where the Union of India challenged the District Judge's order enhancing compensation from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 12,000 per bigha. An issue raised was whether the enhancement should exceed Rs. 7,000. Additionally, the question of granting additional benefits under section 2.(i) after an amendment in an award made prior to the amendment was also raised. Several appeals on this issue were pending in the Supreme Court awaiting judgment. 2. The appeal faced an 80-day delay in filing, prompting an application for condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. The reasons cited for the delay included the time taken by the Land Acquisition Collector to provide relevant documents and arrange court fees. However, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the vague and routine explanations commonly seen in such applications, highlighting a lack of specific details and satisfactory justifications for delays. 3. The judgment delves into the challenge of reconciling the principles laid down by the Supreme Court regarding equality before the law for all litigants, including the State, and the practical considerations of treating the government differently in certain aspects. The court emphasized the need for common sense and discretion in handling delay condonation cases, avoiding extreme positions of either strict non-condonation or unconditional condonation. It stressed the importance of considering public interest and individual rights in land acquisition matters. 4. The court criticized the prevalent negligence and delays in government departments, attributing delays to lack of responsibility, inadequate staff, and procedural inefficiencies. It highlighted the disparity between compensation awarded by courts and market values, calling for a more earnest and responsible approach in the administration of land acquisition laws. Ultimately, the court dismissed the application for condonation of delay due to unsatisfactory explanations and the appeal itself as time-barred. In conclusion, the judgment addresses the complexities of land acquisition appeals, the challenges of delay condonation applications, and the need to balance legal principles with practical considerations in the context of government actions and public interest.
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