ORDER : 1. With the consent of the parties we have taken up the special leave petition for hearing. 2. Leave granted. 3. Mr. Manoj Swarup, Sr. Adv. appearing for the respondent no.1 states that this Court may modify the cost as imposed by the Division Bench of the High Court. 4. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, we modify the costs, which are reduced to Rs. 3 Lakh. The costs as reduced will be paid within three weeks from today, failing which the application for condonation of delay would be treated as dismissed. The appeals are partly allowed in the aforesaid terms, by modifying the impugned order. 5. It will be open to the parties to request the High Court to take up the matter expeditiously. 6. Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.