TEJ BHAN Vs. ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution for the issuance of a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ or direction quashing the order, dated 29th July, 1964, of the Additional Director of Consolidation of Holdings, Punjab, by which he set aside the order of the Assistant Director of Consolidation, passed in favour of Tej Bhan, petitioner.

(2.) A preliminary objection has been taken by Shri Bahadur Singh, learned counsel for respondent Nos. 2 and 3, that this writ petition has been made after a huge delay of more than two years, which has not been explained either in the petition or otherwise. It is urged that it should be thrown out on this score alone.

(3.) It may be noted that the impugned order was passed by the Additional Director on 29th July, 1964. This writ petition was first filed on 23rd January, 1967. The office pointed out certain defects with regard to the filing of the certified copies etc. Thereafter, the petition was refiled in this Court on 29th May, 1967. Thus, there is delay of more than 2-1/2 years in filing this petition. There is absolutely nothing in the writ petition or in the accompanying affidavit or annexures to explain this inordinate delay.