Inder Singh Since Deceased through Lr Krishan Rana v. Govt of NCT of Delhi and Anr.

What is this about?

Three writ petitions disposed of together (W.P.(C) 788/2021 & CM APPL. 27282/2022; W.P.(C) 789/2021 & CM APPL. 27295/2022; W.P.(C) 8785/2021 & CM APPL. 27350/2021) by Ranvir Singh Rana, Inder Singh (since deceased, through LR Krishan Rana) and Sameen Kumar against Govt of NCT of Delhi and Anr over rejection of their requests for reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 (orders dated 18th January 2020 and 7th September 2020). Land acquired via Section 4 notification of 4th February 2010, award of 1st February 2012; Section 18 application filed 23rd March 2012. Respondent's internal LAC inquiry classified the petitioners' references among 10 doubtful/spurious cases due to overlapping diary numbers, allegedly time-barred under Section 18(2). Court held the behind-the-back inquiry report unreliable for want of notice and opportunity of hearing, declared the respondent's decision unsustainable, quashed the impugned order, and directed the Collector to forward the references to the concerned Civil Court within six weeks. Bench: Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Anish Dayal; decided 14 November 2025. Keywords: Section 18 reference; LAC internal inquiry; overlapping diary number; notice and opportunity of hearing; time-barred Section 18(2); quashing of rejection order; enhanced compensation.