IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.T.RAVIKUMAR FRIDAY, THE 18TH MARCH 2011 / 27TH PHALGUNA 1932 WP(C).No. 7729 of 2011(M) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------- ISMAIL KUNJU, SHYLA MANZIL, MARUTHOORKULANGARA SOUTH, AYANIVELIKULANGARA VILLAGE, KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM. BY ADV. SRI.K.SUBASH CHANDRA BOSE RESPONDENTS: ----------------------- 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOLLAM - 691 013. 2. THE SPECIAL TAHSILDAR, LAND ACQUISITION OFFICE, L.A.NO.1, KOLLAM - 691 013. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.K.R.DEEPA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/03/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: C.T.RAVIKUMAR, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P(C) No.7729 of 2011 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 18th day of March, 2011 J U D G M E N T The petitioner who is the owner in possession and enjoyment of 13 cents of land comprised in Survey No.87/8 (1181) of Karunagapally Village, filed this writ petition on being aggrieved by the delay in the matter of consideration of Ext.P3 application for reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act. Out of 13 cents possessed by him, 4.4 ares of property was acquired for the purpose of construction of a bridge on Kallummottil Kadavi. He received the compensation under protest and submitted Ext.P3 requesting the Acquisition Officer to make a reference under Sec.18 of the Act. Exhibit P3 application is dated 06.11.2007. Despite, the lapse of more than three years, no action was taken thereon. 2. Evidently, as per Exhibit P3, the petitioner has received the compensation under protest and requested for a reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act. Taking into account the fact that Exhibit P3 has been submitted as early as on 06.11.2007, I am to hold W.P(C) No.7729 of 2011 --2-- that there was no reason for the said inordinate delay. In such circumstances, without making the observation as to the merits of the contentions raised in this writ petition, it is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider and pass orders on Exhibit P3, expeditiously, at any rate, within a period of one month from today. Necessary, consequential steps shall also be taken, expeditiously based on such decision. Sd/- C.T.RAVIKUMAR, JUDGE //TRUE COPY// P.A. TO JUDGE KRK