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2021 DIGILAW 553 (BOM)

Shamsunder V Kamat v. State Of Goa

2021-03-09

BHARATI H.DANGRE, M.S.SONAK

body2021
JUDGMENT M.S. Sonak, J. - Heard the learned Counsel for the parties. 2. There is no serious dispute that the issues raised in this batch of Petitions are entirely covered by the decision of the Constitution Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Indore Development Authority vs. Manoharlal and others, (2020) 8 SCC 129 . 3. In these matters, there was never any dispute that the possession of the acquired land had been taken by the appropriate Government. However, there was some dispute about payment of compensation. The record indicates that even the compensation was deposited with the Economic Development Corporation Ltd., which was the specified agency. 4. In any case, a reference is necessary to the conclusions of the Constitution Bench in Indore Development Authority (supra), which read as follows : " 365. Resultantly, the decision rendered in Pune Municipal Corpn v. Harakchand Misirimal Solankk, (2014) 3 SCC 183 is hereby overruled and all other decisions in which Pune Municipal Corpn.(supra) has been followed, are also overruled. The decision in Sree Balaji Nagar Residential Assn. Vs. State of T.N.,2015 2 SCC 353, cannot be said to be laying down good law, is overruled and other decisions following the same are also overruled. In Indore Development Authority v. Shailendra, (2018) 3 SCC 412 , the aspect with respect to the proviso to Section 24(2) and whether "or" has to be read as "nor" or as "and" was not placed for consideration. Therefore, that decision too cannot prevail, in the light of the discussion in the present judgment. 366. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we answer the questions as under: 366.1. Under the provisions of Section 24(1)(a) in case the award is not made as on 1-1-2014, the date of commencement of the 2013 Act, there is no lapse of proceedings. Compensation has to be determined under the provisions of the 2013 Act. 366.2. In case the award has been passed within the window period of five years excluding the period covered by an interim order of the court, then proceedings shall continue as provided under Section 24(1)(b) of the 2013 Act under the 1894 Act as if it has not been repealed. 366.3. The word "or" used in Section 24(2) between possession and compensation has to be read as "nor" or as "and". 366.3. The word "or" used in Section 24(2) between possession and compensation has to be read as "nor" or as "and". The deemed lapse of land acquisition proceedings under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act takes place where due to inaction of authorities for five years or more prior to commencement of the said Act, the possession of land has not been taken nor compensation has been paid. In other words, in case possession has been taken, compensation has not been paid then there is no lapse. Similarly, if compensation has been paid, possession has not been taken then there is no lapse. 366.4. The expression "paid" in the main part of Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act does not include a deposit of compensation in court. The consequence of non-deposit is provided in the proviso to Section 24(2) in case it has not been deposited with respect to majority of landholdings then all beneficiaries (landowners) as on the date of notification for land acquisition under Section 4 of the 1894 Act shall be entitled to compensation in accordance with the provisions of the 2013 Act. In case the obligation under Section 31 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 has not been fulfilled, interest under Section 34 of the said Act can be granted. Non-deposit of compensation (in court) does not result in the lapse of land acquisition proceedings. In case of non-deposit with respect to the majority of holdings for five years or more, compensation under the 2013 Act has to be paid to the "landowners" as on the date of notification for land acquisition under Section 4 of the 1894 Act. 366.5. In case a person has been tendered the compensation as provided under Section 31(1) of the 1894 Act, it is not open to him to claim that acquisition has lapsed under Section 24(2) due to non-payment or non-deposit of compensation in court. The obligation to pay is complete by tendering the amount under Section 31(1). The landowners who had refused to accept compensation or who sought reference for higher compensation, cannot claim that the acquisition proceedings had lapsed under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. 366.6. The proviso to Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act is to be treated as part of Section 24(2), not part of Section 24(1)(b). 366.7. The landowners who had refused to accept compensation or who sought reference for higher compensation, cannot claim that the acquisition proceedings had lapsed under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act. 366.6. The proviso to Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act is to be treated as part of Section 24(2), not part of Section 24(1)(b). 366.7. The mode of taking possession under the 1894 Act and as contemplated under Section 24(2) is by drawing of inquest report/memorandum. Once award has been passed on taking possession under Section 16 of the 1894 Act, the land vests in State there is no divesting provided under Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act, as once possession has been taken there is no lapse under Section 24(2). 366.8. The provisions of Section 24(2) providing for a deemed lapse of proceedings are applicable in case authorities have failed due to their inaction to take possession and pay compensation for five years or more before the 2013 Act came into force, in a proceeding for land acquisition pending with the authority concerned as on 1-1-2014. The period of subsistence of interim orders passed by court has to be excluded in the computation of five years. 366.9. Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act does not give rise to new cause of action to question the legality of concluded proceedings of land acquisition. Section 24 applies to a proceeding pending on the date of enforcement of the 2013 Act i.e. 1-1-2014. It does not revive stale and time-barred claims and does not reopen concluded proceedings nor allow landowners to question the legality of mode of taking possession to reopen proceedings or mode of deposit of compensation in the treasury instead of court to invalidate acquisition. 367. Let the matters be placed before appropriate Bench for consideration on merits." 5. In the factual situation which obtained in each of these Petitions, challenges raised are entirely answered against the Petitioners by the Constitution Bench. Therefore, these Petitions will have to be dismissed. 6. Accordingly, we dismiss these Petitions. Interim relief, if any, stands vacated. We, however, leave the parties to bear their own costs. 7. First Appeal No.100 of 2015, was also tagged along with the batch of matters. However, the same will now have to be heard separately. Accordingly, First Appeal No.100 of 2015 is detagged from the batch of these Petitions.