138 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH LAXMI NARAYAN AND ANR. STATE OF HARYANA CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE Present: Mr. Vivek Suri, Advocate with Mr. Dushyant Godara, Advocate for the appellants. Mr. Abhinash Jain, DAG, Haryana. HARKESH MANUJA By way of present revision petition, challenge has been laid to an order dated 31.01.2005 Jhajjar. Both the parties are by the order dated 2005 titled as “Shanti and Ors. However, there has been delay of appeal. The prayer made in the application for condonation of delay was initially dismissed by the Hon’ble Apex Court vide its order dated 23.04.2025 passed in Leave to Appeal (C) State of Haryana and Ors.” with a rider that the for the delayed period. The operative para 13 thereof is reproduced hereunder:- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: LAXMI NARAYAN AND ANR. Versus STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA Mr. Vivek Suri, Advocate with Mr. Dushyant Godara, Advocate for the appellants. Mr. Abhinash Jain, DAG, Haryana. **** HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL) By way of present revision petition, challenge has been laid to 31.01.2005 passed by the learned Additional District Judge, Both the parties are ad idem that the matter is squarely covered by the order dated 03.05.2019 passed by this Court in Shanti and Ors. Vs. State of Haryana and Ors However, there has been delay of appeal. The prayer made in the application for condonation of delay was initially dismissed by this Court vide order dated the Hon’ble Apex Court vide its order dated 23.04.2025 passed in Leave to Appeal (C) 2832-2020 titled as “ State of Haryana and Ors.” allowed the prayer for with a rider that the appellants-landowners shall not be entitled for interest for the delayed period. The operative para 13 thereof is reproduced IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH RFA-1617-2019 (O&M) Date of Decision: February 17, 2026 ......Appellants ........Respondents HARKESH MANUJA Mr. Dushyant Godara, Advocate for the appellants. Mr. Abhinash Jain, DAG, Haryana. By way of present revision petition, challenge has been laid to passed by the learned Additional District Judge, that the matter is squarely covered passed by this Court in RFA No.2738 of State of Haryana and Ors.” However, there has been delay of 4908 days in filing the appeal. The prayer made in the application for condonation of delay was this Court vide order dated 12.09.2019, however, later, the Hon’ble Apex Court vide its order dated 23.04.2025 passed in Special “Laxmi Narain and Anr. Vs. allowed the prayer for condonation of delay shall not be entitled for interest for the delayed period. The operative para 13 thereof is reproduced (O&M) February 17, 2026 By way of present revision petition, challenge has been laid to passed by the learned Additional District Judge, that the matter is squarely covered RFA No.2738 of days in filing the appeal. The prayer made in the application for condonation of delay was , however, later, Special Vs. condonation of delay shall not be entitled for interest for the delayed period. The operative para 13 thereof is reproduced TEJWINDER SINGH 2026.02.20 18:23 I agree to specified portions of this document RFA-1617-2019 (O&M) -2- 13. In view of the above discussion, we are of the considered view that the delay ought to have been condoned, since the position that the land loser had, in fact, asked for the appeal to be filed but it was not, for no fault of his, is an uncontroverted position of fact. Consequently, the appeals are allowed. The impugned judgment and orders are set aside and the matters are remanded to the High Court for consideration afresh, on all aspects, save and except delay. Such consideration is to be made, uninfluenced by the observations made hereinabove. However, for the delayed period that is being condoned, the appellant shall not be entitled to any interest. The Registry is requested to transmit a copy of this order to the learned Registrar General, High Court of Punjab and Haryana, for necessary follow up action. Because the Award from which the appeals arise is of the year 2005, the High Court is requested make an endeavour to decide the matters expeditiously.” Accordingly, the appellants shall be entitled for award of market value @Rs.12,00,000/- per acre along with all other statutory benefits and interest payable under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, however, without interest for the period of delay in approaching this Court for the purpose of filing the present appeal. In view of the above, the present appeal stands disposed of. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. 17.02.2026 (HARKESH MANUJA) Tejwinder JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No TEJWINDER SINGH 2026.02.20 18:23 I agree to specified portions of this document