THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM WRIT PETITION No. 9777 of 2007 DATED: 1-05-2007 Between: R.C.Venkata Reddy @ R.Venkata Reddy …Petitioner and The District Collector, Kurnool and others …Respondents THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM W.P.No. 9777 of 2007 Oral order: The writ petition is barred by laches and delay. The petitioner’s land in an extent of Ac.3-36 cents in Sy.No.71/A of Parvathapuram Village, Adoni Mandal, Kurnool District was acquired for providing house sites to weaker sections in 1977. The petitioner claims to be unaware of the passing of an award. However, he claims to have represented to the respondents as also to the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell seeking reference to the Civil Court for enhancement of compensation, under Section 18 of the Act. Admittedly, by the endorsement dated 19-2-2000, the 1st respondent addressed the petitioner stating that he had failed to prefer an application seeking reference within two months from the date of receiving the 1st instalment of the compensation on 7-5-1977 and therefore, the application is belated and is not entertainable. Having kept quite for more than seven years, this writ petition is filed alleging that the failure of the respondents to have referred the petitioner’s claim for enhanced compensation to the Civil Court under Section 18 of the Act, is arbitrary. This writ petition is hopelessly barred by delay and laches and is accordingly dismissed at the stage of admission. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ GODA RAGHURAM, J 1-05-2007 GRR