SSK/907 1 WP/5504.11 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 5504 OF 2011 Janabai Dashrath Tambe & Ors. ....Petitioners Versus The State of Maharashtra & Ors. ...Respondents Mr. Anil J. Ahuja, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. V. S. Gokhale, AGP for the State. CORAM : SMT. RANJANA DESAI & RANJIT MORE, JJ. DATED : 22nd JULY, 2011. P.C.: The petitioners have prayed that direction be issued to the respondents to transmit the reference applications filed by the petitioners under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act to the District Court, Nashik. 2. We have heard learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Gokhale, learned AGP. In our opinion, in the circumstances of the case, following order will meet the ends of justice: 1. The 3rd respondent is directed to consider the petitioners’ reference applications filed under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act and forward the reference applications to the SSK/907 2 WP/5504.11 District Court, Nashik if they are in order as expeditiously as possible and in any case within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of this order. However, if the 3rd respondent is of the opinion that the reference applications cannot be transmitted, he shall pass a reasoned order stating his reasons for the said decision. Needless to say that such order be communicated to the petitioners. Needless to say further that in such circumstance, the petitioners will be entitled to challenge the said order. We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the said applications. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners states that the petitioners will approach the 3rd respondent with a copy of this order within a period of two weeks from today. 3. The petition is disposed of accordingly. (RANJIT MORE, J.) (SMT. RANJANA DESAI, J.)