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2019 (8) TMI 1908 - SC - Indian Laws


Issues Involved:

1. Condonation of delay in refiling the special leave petitions.
2. Entitlement to fair compensation for land acquisition.
3. Applicability of previous court decisions to the present case.
4. Doctrine of acquiescence and its impact on the petitioners' rights.
5. Doctrine of laches and delay in relation to the petitioners' claims.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Condonation of Delay in Refiling the Special Leave Petitions:

The Supreme Court condoned the delay of 193, 224, and 142 days respectively in refiling the special leave petitions. However, there was an inordinate delay of approximately 21 years (7534, 7542, and 7886 days) in preferring the special leave petitions before the Court. The respondents vehemently opposed the applications for condonation of delay, arguing that no sufficient cause was shown to explain the delay. The Court noted that the petitioners failed to make out a case to condone the huge delay, emphasizing that no substantial reason was provided for the delay of 21 years.

2. Entitlement to Fair Compensation for Land Acquisition:

The petitioners argued that their lands, acquired under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, were entitled to fair compensation. They contended that the lands in question were better located and should be compensated at par with the lands of village Kasna, which were awarded Rs. 65 per square yard. The respondents countered that the lands of village Kasna were not comparable to the lands of village Gulsitapur and Tilpta, and the compensation awarded by the High Court had attained finality. The petitioners had accepted the compensation without objection for 21 years, thus acquiescing to the High Court's judgment.

3. Applicability of Previous Court Decisions to the Present Case:

The petitioners relied on decisions from Market Committee, Hodal v. Krishan Murari, Dhiraj Singh v. State of Haryana, and K. Subbarayudu v. Special Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) to support their claim for condonation of delay and enhanced compensation. The Court, however, found that these decisions were not applicable to the present case due to the significant delay of 21 years. The Court noted that in the relied upon cases, there was sufficient cause for delay, and the parity was claimed with respect to lands acquired under the same notification, which was not the situation in the present case.

4. Doctrine of Acquiescence and Its Impact on the Petitioners' Rights:

The Court emphasized the doctrine of acquiescence, noting that the petitioners did not make any grievance regarding the inadequacy of the compensation for approximately 21 years. By accepting the compensation and not objecting to the High Court's judgment, the petitioners effectively acquiesced to the judgment. This principle implies that the petitioners lost their right to complain due to their prolonged inaction and acceptance of the compensation.

5. Doctrine of Laches and Delay in Relation to the Petitioners' Claims:

The Court highlighted the doctrine of laches and delay, stating that a right not exercised for a long time becomes non-existent. Even if there is no prescribed limitation period, the courts have applied the doctrine of laches and delay to non-suit litigants who approach the court belatedly without justifiable explanation. The Court found that the petitioners did not provide a sufficient cause or proper explanation for the 21-year delay, thus denying them relief based on unexplained laches and delay. The Court also considered the adverse impact on the State/acquiring body, noting that directing the State to pay enhanced compensation after such a long period would be unreasonable and financially burdensome.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court dismissed the applications for condonation of delay and consequently dismissed the special leave petitions on the ground of limitation. The Court found that the petitioners failed to provide a sufficient cause for the 21-year delay and emphasized the doctrines of acquiescence and laches. The Court also noted the potential adverse impact on the State/acquiring body if required to pay enhanced compensation after such a long period. There was no order as to costs.

 

 

 

 

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