UNION OF INDIA Vs. ABASO GANPAT GHADGE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The issues involved in all these Appeals are same, hence I am deciding all these appeals by this common Judgment.

(2.) It is contention of learned counsel for Appellant that the references were made by the Respondents for enhancement of compensation amount before the learned District Judge, Satara in land acquisition matters. The learned District Judge has allowed the appeals and enhanced the compensation amount and directed the Appellant to pay the compensation amount @ 15% p.a. from the year 2007. Learned counsel further submitted that the references were dismissed for default in the year 2014. Thereafter, the applications were filed for restoration. The said applications were allowed and some references were restored in the year 2021 and some references were restored in the year 2022. As references were dismissed for default due to non prosecution by the respondents, the learned District Judge should not have granted interest for the period 2014 to 2021 and 2022. Learned counsel further submitted that the hearing of references was delayed due to the respondents only. The appellant is a Government Authority. The compensation will be paid from the amount of tax payers. Hence, requested to allow the appeals and reduce the interest amount for delayed period. Learned counsel further submitted that except the interest for above period, the Appellant has deposited the entire award amount.

(3.) The learned counsel for the Appellant has relied upon Mohar Singh (Dead) Thr. Lrs. And Ors. Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh Collector and Ors. (2023) INSC 1019 : (2023) 14 SCR 842 and The Executive Engineer, Nimna Dudhna Project, Selu, District Parbhani, Maharashtra Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors. Etc. Etc. (2020) AIR (SC) 717 and Balu Vithoba Lavate Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors. In WP/3901/2022.