LAWS(MEGH)-2020-2-2

JRUP SUCHIANG Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR WEST

Decided On February 12, 2020
Jrup Suchiang Appellant
V/S
District Collector West Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision application under Article 227 of the Constitution of India has been preferred before this Court for a direction to issue to the Special Judicial Officer, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai to dispose of the claim petitions filed by the petitioners and other analogous cases expeditiously preferably within a time frame.

(2.) The brief facts of the case is that by notification dated 28.01.1999 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, the land of the petitioner and others situated in West Jaintia Hills District was notified for acquisition for construction of the Kupli Hydel Project at Saphai village, Elaka Raliang, Jaintia Hills District by the respondent No. 2/NEEPCO.

(3.) The further case of the petitioner is thereafter on the dissatisfaction with the assessment of compensation, applications under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 were filed before the District Collector who however did not refer the applications to the Court of the Special Judicial Officer, Meghalaya, Shillong. It was only after the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court had issued directions vide order dated 06.05.02 passed in WP (C) 116(SH) of 2002 that the matter was placed before the Reference Court. Further case is that the petitioners filed their respective claim petitions in the year 2002 and around 303 analogous cases have since been registered in the Court of Special Judicial Officer, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai which are still pending disposal.