THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.20256 of 2002 27.02.2008 Between: Penumatsa Adilakshmi and another … Petitioners AND The Sub Collector and Land Acquisition Officer, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District. … Respondent THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.20256 of 2002 ORDER: The land admeasuring Acs.0.75 in survey No.566/3A/1B situated at Rajahmundry belonging to one Penumatsa Sathiraju (father of second petitioner) was acquired under Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (the Act, for brevity), under award No.6/1987, dated 13.10.1987 under the Act for providing bulk storage depot for oil industry. The father of second petitioner allegedly made an application to respondent on 17.11.1987 seeking reference to civil Court. Alleging that the same has not been disposed of, still it is pending, present writ petition is filed on 09.10.2002 seeking writ of Mandamus declaring inaction of respondent as illegal and arbitrary, and for a consequential direction to refer the matter to civil Court. Admittedly, award was passed in October, 1987 and late Sathiraju made application on 17.11.1987 for reference. When the application was allegedly pending from 1987, writ petition is filed in October, 2002. The explanation offered is that petitioners were under the impression that they should await orders of respondent. Even if this is true, law does not permit approaching this Court after fifteen years alleging that the matter is still pending for consideration before public authorities. The writ petition is barred by delay and laches, and therefore, is dismissed. No costs. _______________ (V.V.S.RAO, J) 27.02.2008 pln