2020 (12) TMI 1411

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... nd this position had been elucidated by the judgment of this Court in OFFICE OF THE CHIEF POST MASTER GENERAL VERSUS LIVING MEDIA INDIA LTD. [2012 (4) TMI 341 - SUPREME COURT]. Such attempts of the State Governments are deprecated to approach this Court only to complete a mere formality. Learned counsel for the petitioner strenuously contends that there is valuable land involved. If it was so, then the concerned officers responsible for the manner in defending this petition must be made to pay for it. SLP dismissed.
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KISHAN KAUL , HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DINESH MAHESHWARI AND HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HRISHIKESH ROY For the Petitioner : Mr. Pratap Venugopal, AOR Ms. Surekha Raman, Adv. Mr. Akhil Abraham Ro .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... sal of the impugned order shows that once again a reference has been made, as in similar cases of delay by the State to the judgment of this Court in the case of Collector, Land Acquisition, Anantnag & Anr. Vs. Mst. Katiji & Ors., AIR 1987 SC 1353. A claim was also made that the petitioner should not suffer for the fault of the counsel. The High Court opined that such substantial delay could not be condoned by mere shifting the blame on the counsel as the parties are required to keep track of the matter and there is negligence despite numerous opportunities. We have dealt with the issue of Government authorities in approaching Courts belatedly as if the Statute of Limitation does not exist for them. While referring to some reasons given fo .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ust be made to pay for it. We are thus constrained to dismiss the petition as barred by time and impose cost of Rs.15,000/- on the petitioner for wastage of judicial time. We put it to the learned counsel that the cost would have been much greater but for the fact that a young counsel is appearing before us and we have given considerable concession in the costs on that factor alone. The costs be recovered from the officers responsible for the delay and costs be deposited within a month with the Supreme court Employees Welfare Fund. The certificate of recovery be also filed within the same period of time. The special leave petition is dismissed in aforesaid terms. Pending application stands disposed of.
Case laws, Decisions, Judgemen .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X