IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.6496 of 2007 Mohiuddin Baitha, son of Fulo Baitha, resident of Village- Sukhi, Post- Office- Gogi Pothiya, Police Station- Forbesganj, District- Araria. ... Petitioner. Versus 1. The State of Bihar. 2. The Collector, Araria. 3. Land Reforms Deputy Collector, Forbesganj, Araria. 4. Anchal Adhikari, Forbesganj, Araria. 5. Nizam Baitha. 6. Shamim Baitha. 7. Imam Baitha. 8. Aslam Baitha. 9. Rustam Baitha. 5 to 9 are sons of Late Sihad Baitha. 10. Riyaz Baitha. 11. Jamil Ahmad Baitha. 12. Katir Ahmad Baitha. 10 to 12 are sons of Late Fateh Mohammad. And all 5 to 12 are Resident of Village- Sukhi, Post Office- Gogi Pothiya, Police Station- Forbesganj, District- Araria. .... Respondents. ---------- 02- 3.2.2009 Heard Mr. Ram Kumar Sharma for the petitioner, and learned assistant counsel to Mr. V.M.K. Sinha, Standing Counsel No.3. This writ petition is directed against the order dated 19.8.1997/20.8.1997 (Annexure-3), passed by the learned Collector of the district of Araria, in Case No.131 of 1992-93/ 32 of 1995-96 (Most. Bibi Mahidan Vs. Mohiuddin), whereby settlement of the land in question in favour of the petitioner has been cancelled on the ground 2 that the lands had earlier been settled in favour of his father. In other words, the impugned order has been passed on the ground that identical benefit of settlement of land cannot be given to the son in a situation where the father was given the same benefit. In my view, the reason assigned for cancellation of the settlement is a valid and tenable ground. Furthermore, the impugned order was passed on 19.8.1997/20.8.1997, whereas the writ petition was lodged in this Court on 17.5.2007, after a lapse of ten years. The writ petition suffers from unexplained delay, laches, negligence and acquiescence. The writ petition is dismissed. (S K Katriar, J.) S.K.Pathak