1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY, BENCH AT AURANGABAD WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5571 OF 1997 1. Balaji Tulsiram Argade, (Died, through L.Rs. 1-A Sumanbai Sahadu Erande, Age : 62 years, Occu.Agri., R/o Zole, Tq. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar 1-B Vimalbai Lalu Sarode, Age : 56 years, Occ.Agri., R/o Anandwadi, Chandanapuri, Tq. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar 1-C Sow. Taramati Dattatraya Waman, Age : 50 years, Occ.Agri., R/o Kolhewadi, Tq. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar 1-D Sow. Meerabai Prakash Kadam, Age : 52 years, Occ.Agri., R/o Musalgaon, Tq. Sinnar, Dist. Nashik 1-E Sow. Heerabai Bajirao Gawali, Age : 54 years, Occ.Agri., R/o Talegaon, Tq. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar 1-F Dattu Balaji Argade, Age : 55 years, Occ.Agri., R/o As above (1-C) 1-G Kamanbai Shivaji Waman, Age : 60 years, Occ.Agri., R/o as above (1-C) 2 1-H Indubai Uttam Shinde, Age : 58 years, Occ.Agri., R/o Naur, Tq. Shrirampur, Dist. Ahmednagar 2. Dattu Balaji Argade, Age : 44 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar 3. Madhav (Madhukar) Balaji Argade, Age : 42 years, Occ.Agril., (Died, through his L.Rs.) 3-A Ganesh Madhav Argade, Age : 29 years, Occ.Agri., 3-B Ujwala Madhav Argade, Age : 25 years, Occ.Agri., 3-C Bhagyashri Madhav Argade, Age : 19 years, Occ.Agri., 3-D Aruna Madhav Argade, Age : 42 years, Occ.Agri., 3-A to 3-D R/o Kolhewadi, Tq. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar ..PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. 3 WITH WRIT PETITION NO. 596 OF 1998 1. Bhagwat Shankar Jadhav, Age : 69 years, Occ.Agril., 2. Lahanbhau Shankar Jadhav, Age : 45 years, Occ.Agril., 3. Shripart Shankar Jadhav, Age : 42 Yrs., Occ.Agril., 4. Ganpat Dattatrya Jadhav, Age : 26 yrs., Occ.Agril., All R/o Jorwe, Taluka Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar ..PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.597 OF 1998 4 1. Baburao Balaji Dighe, Age : 50 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Sampat Balaji Dighe, Age : 45 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Lahanu Balaji Dighe, Age : 40 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar ..PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.598 OF 1998 1. Deoram Laxman Dighe, Age : 65 years, Occ.Agril., 2. Sampat Deoram Dighe, Age : 45 years, Occ.Agril., 3. Ganpat Deoram Dighe, Age : 35 years, Occ.Agril., 5 4. Rajendra Deoram Dighe, Age : 30 years, Occ.Agril., 5. Sunita Rajendra Dighe, Age : 25 years, Occu.Agri., All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar ..PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO. 5531 OF 1997 1. Karbhari Tukaram Dighe, Age 53 years, Occu.Agril 2. Changdev Tukaram Dighe, Age 47 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Namdeo Tukaram Dighe, Age 42 years, Occu.Agril. 4. Bhagvat Tukaram Dighe, Age 38 years, Occu.Agril All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS 6 VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5539 OF 1997 1. Karbhari Tukaram Dighe, Age 53 years, Occu.Agril 2. Changdev Tukaram Dighe, Age 47 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Namdeo Tukaram Dighe, Age 42 years, Occu.Agril. 4. Bhagvat Tukaram Dighe, Age 38 years, Occu.Agril 5. Vilas Karbhari Dighe, Age 30 years, Occu.Agril, All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 7 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar 4. Bhausaheb Shrirang Kale, Age 63 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Shashikala Bhausaheb Kale, Age 50 years, Occu.Agril., 6. Chandravadan Bhausaheb Kale, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 7. Ashvinikumar Bhausaheb Kale, Age 35 years, Occu.Agril., No.47, R/o Kolhewadi, Tq. Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. Respondents 4 to 7 served WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5540 OF 1997 1. Manjulabai Parbat Dighe, Age 75 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Tarabai Nivrutti Gunjal, Age 50 years, Occu.Agri., Both R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS 8 Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5541 OF 1997 1. Deoram Parbat Dighe, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Alka Deoram Dighe, Age 38 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Nilesh Deoram Dighe, Age 19 years, Occu.Education 4. Tushar Deoram Dighe, Age Minor, Occu.Education No.4 through N/G Mother Sow Alka Deoram Dighe 5. Prashant Deoram Dighe, Age Minor, Occu.Education 6. Virendra Dashrath Shinde, Age Minor, Occu.Education Both through Guardian Shri Deoram Parbhat Dighe All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS 9 Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5561 OF 1997 1. Pandharinath Genu Gunjal, Dead through L.Rs. 1-A) Laxman Pandharinath Gunjal, Age 58 years, Occu.Agril., 1-B) Rambhau Pandharinath Gunjal, Age 56 years, Occu.Agril., 1-C) Bhikaji Pandharinath Gunjal, Age 54 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Genu Bhagwanta Gunjal, Age 54 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Navnath Genu Gunjal, Age 25 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Kolhewadi, Tq. Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. 10 WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5562 OF 1997 1. Dagdu Ramji Dighe, Age 72 years, Occu.Agril, 2. Yashawant Ramji Dighe, Age 67 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Damodhar Ramji Dighe, Age 65 years, Occu.Agri., 4. Dhondibhau Ramji Dighe, Age 60 years, Occu.Agri., 5. Bansi Ramji Dighe, Age 62 years, Occu.Agril., 6. Laxman Ramji Dighe, Age 55 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. 11 WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5563 OF 1997 1. Khandu Pandu Kakad, Age 75 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Popat Khandu Kakad, Age 27 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Sudhakar Khandu Kakad, Age 25 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Madhukar Khandu Kakad, Age 19 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5564 OF 1997 Bhausaheb Damodhar Kakad, Age 60 years, Occu.Agril., R/o Jorwe, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONER VERSUS 12 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5566 OF 1997 Shivaji Govind Dighe, Age 50 years, Occu.Agril., R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONER VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5567 OF 1997 1. Balasaheb Gorakshanath Dighe, Age 37 years, Occu.Agril., 13 2. Ashok Gorakshanath Dighe, Age 34 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Shivaji Gorakshanath Dighe, Age 33 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Babalu Subhash Dighe, Age Minor, Occu.Education Through N/G mother Smt.Kamal Subhash Dighe, Age 24 years, Occu.Agriculture, All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5570 OF 1997 1. Bhagwat Ananda Thorat, Age 60 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Vasant Bhagwatrao Thorat, Age 42 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Subhash Bhagwatrao Thorat, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 14 All R/o Jorwe, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5573 OF 1997 1. Piraji Dagdu Dighe, Age 65 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Appasaheb Piraji Dighe, Age 55 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Nanasaheb Piraji Dighe, Age 50 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Lahanbhau Piraji Dighe, Age 42 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 15 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5574 OF 1997 1. Dhondiba Shahaji Dighe, Age 60 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Nana Shahaji Dighe, Age 43 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Paraji Shahaji Dighe, Age 45 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Jagannath Shahaji Dighe, Age 42 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Parigabai Gangadhar Shinde, Age 62 years, Occu.Agril., 6. Namdeo Shahaji Dighe (Dead through L.R.) Nandkishore Namdeo Dighe Age 26 years, Occu.Agril., .. PETITIONERS All R/o Jorwe, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS 16 Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5575 OF 1997 1. Parbat Karbhari Ingle, Age 65 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Bhima Karbhari Ingle, Age 60 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Uttam Karbhari Ingle, Age 50 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5576 OF 1997 1. Deoram Shankar Dighe, Age 58 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Ashok Shankar Dighe, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 17 3. Laxman Shankar Dighe, Age 30 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Ramnath Shankar Dighe, Age 45 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5577 OF 1997 1. Punja Shankar Waman, Age 65 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Laxmibai Punja Waman, Age 60 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Bhagwat Punja Waman, Age 46 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Shivaji Punja Waman, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Bandu Punja Waman, Age 26 years, Occu.Agril., 6. Balu Punja Waman, Age 24 years, Occu.Agril., 18 All R/o Kolhewadi, Taluka Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO. 5580 OF 1997 1. Shrirang Yashwant Thorat, Age 65 years, Occu.Agril, 2. Babasaheb Shrirang Thorat, Age 40 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Baban Shrirang Thorat, Age 37 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Digambar Shrirang Thorat, Age 36 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Ramesh Shrirang Thorat, Age 34 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 19 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar ..RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5581 OF 1997 1. Houshiram Baburao Dighe, Age 36 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Nanasaheb Baburao Dighe, Age 27 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Bhausaheb Baburao Dighe, Age 30 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. 20 WITH WRIT PETITION NO. 5582 OF 1997 1. Kondaji Dagdu Dighe, Age 51 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Bhausaheb Kondaji Dighe, Age 26 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Dnyandeo Kondaji Dighe, Age 24 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Kailash Dhondibhau Dighe, Age 28 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Jairam Dhondibhau Dighe, Age 24 years, Occu.Agril., 6. Uttam Dhondibhau Dighe, Age 20 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorve, Taluka Sangamner, District Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. WITH WRIT PETITION NO.5586 OF 1997 21 1. Narayan Kashinath Thorat, Age 35 years, Occu.Agril., 2. Dattatrya Kashinath Thorat, Age 25 years, Occu.Agril., 3. Balasaheb Prabhu Thorat, Age 30 years, Occu.Agril., 4. Sanjay Prabhu Thorat, Age 26 years, Occu.Agril., 5. Nivrutti Prabhu Thorat, Age 21 years, Occu.Agril., All R/o Jorwe, Taluka Sangamner, Dist.Ahmednagar .. PETITIONERS VERSUS 1. The State of Maharashtra 2. The Special Land Acquisition Officer No.19, Ahmednagar, having Office at Ahmednagar 3. The Collector, Ahmednagar, Dist. Ahmednagar .. RESPONDENTS Mr S.K. Shinde, Advocate for the petitioners; Mr K.J. Ghute Patil, A.G.P. for respondents no.1 to 3. CORAM : P.V. HARDAS AND NARESH H. PATIL, JJ DATE : 18th September 2009 ORAL JUDGMENT [ PER P.V.HARDAS , J ] 22 1. These petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India pray for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents not to acquire the lands of the petitioners. The petitioners have also prayed vide prayer clause (G) for quashing and setting aside the notification dated 31.10.1992 issued under section 6 dated 3.12.1993 and the award dated 8.3.1996 passed pursuant thereto. Since all these petitions raise the common question, these petitions are being decided by this common judgment. 2. Learned Counsel for the parties have invited our attention to the judgment rendered by the Division Bench of this Court in Writ Petition No.5569 of 1997, Mahadu Vithoba Gunjal & ors. vs. The State of Maharashtra & ors. and other connected petitions, dated 18.11.2008, to which one of us (Naresh H. Patil, J.) was a member, by which petitions involving identical challenges came to be allowed by the Division Bench of this Court and the award dated 8.3.1996 came to be quashed and set aside on the ground that the said award had been passed beyond the period specified in section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act. 3. Learned Counsel for the parties concede that the controversy in these petitions stands squarely covered by the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in Mahadu Vithoba 23 Gunjal (supra). In the light of that, therefore, these petitions succeed and the impugned award is hereby quashed and set aside. The land acquisition proceedings relating to the acquisition of the land of respective petitioners, therefore, is quashed and set aside and the acquisition is declared to have lapsed. We further hold that the respondents would be entitled to initiate fresh land acquisition proceedings, if the respondents so desire, relating to the land of the petitioners. We also endorse the directions issued by the Division Bench of this Court in Mahadu Vithoba Gunjal (supra) in respect of holding of an enquiry. 4. Rule is thus made absolute on the terms indicated above with no order as to costs. ( NARESH H. PATIL ) ( P.V.HARDAS ) JUDGE JUDGE amj/wp5571.97 24