State of Gujarat and Another vs Patel Naranbhai Nathubai and Others

Ranganath Misra, J.—These appeals by special leave are directed against the judgment of the Gujarat High Court dated 4.8.1972 quashing the declaration u/s 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1 of 1894, on the ground that the same made on 18th of January, 1969, was issued beyond reasonable time.

The short facts are : The preliminary notification u/s 4(1) of the Act was made on 26.7.1963. On 16/18.1.1969, the declaration u/s 6 was duly notified. On 17.1.1972, a writ petition was filed in the High Court challenging the declaration. The High Court took notice of the Land Acquisition (Amendment & Validation) Act of 1967 but relying upon a Division Bench judgment of the same High Court in Valji Mulji v. State 11 GLR 95 held that the period of 5-1/2 years from the date of the preliminary notification was unreasonable delay for making of the declaration u/s 6 of the Acts.

The validation provision came into force on 20th January, 1967. Two judgments of this Court dealing with this aspect being Gujarat State Transport Corporation Vs. Valji Mulji Soneji and Others, and State of Gujarat and Anr Vs. Punjabhai Nathubhai and Ors, have now concluded the position with reference to the provisions of the Validation Act and on the ratio of these judgments the decision of the Gujarat. High Court on which reliance was placed by the High Court in disposing of these matters cannot be sustained. We accordingly allow the appeals, set aside the decision of the High Court and sustain the declaration u/s 6 of the Land Acquisition Act dated 18.1.1969.

There shall be no order as to costs.