NATHA RAM Vs. LAC & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Cmp (M) No.657 of 2018 in RFA No. 159 of 2018 & CMP (M) No.658 of 2018 in RFA No. 160 of 2018.

(2.) Learned Additional Advocate General and learned standing counsel representing the respondents submit that in case it is concluded that the award is nullity and these cases remanded to learned trial Court for fresh disposal, the question of substitution of legal representatives of the deceased petitioners-claimants and abatement of the references they preferred may be ordered to be decided after affording the respondents the opportunity of being heard.

(3.) On hearing learned counsel for the parties and going through the record available at this stage, admittedly both Natha Ram and Tiddu Ram had expired during the pendency of the reference petitions, they preferred in the trial Court. The petitions came to be decided vide common award without taking notice of their death and substitution of their legal representatives. They both, no doubt, were the sole claimant in the references they preferred, however, the references decided vide impugned award are not isolated cases and rather the same have been decided in a bunch, lead case whereof was the one filed by deceased-claimant Natha Ram.