KVM 1/4 40 - FAST 20841 OF 2017.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 20841 OF 2017 ALONGWITH CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 3081 OF 2017 IN FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 20841 OF 2017 The Irrigation Officer, Nandur Madhyameshwar Project Division, Trambak Road, Nashik – 2 ….. Appellant/ Applicant VERSUS Rajaram Bhavani Binnar & Ors. ….. Respondents Mr. Sarfaraj Shaikh i/b. Ms.Chaitrali A. Deshmukh for the Applicant. Smt. S. G. Talhar, A.G.P. for the State – Respondent No. 16. CORAM : RAJESH S. PATIL, J. DATE : 4 NOVEMBER, 2025 P.C. :- CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 3081 OF 2017 1) This Civil Application is filed by the State to condone delay of 4 years and 111 days in filing the First Appeal. 2) Office remark shows that the respondents have been duly served. In paragraph no.5, in tabular form, the events and the dates have been mentioned in order to support the application for KANCHAN VINOD MAYEKAR Digitally signed by KANCHAN VINOD MAYEKAR Date: 2025.11.07 11:19:17 +0530 KVM 2/4 40 - FAST 20841 OF 2017.doc condonation of delay. 3) Heard learned counsel for both sides and I have gone through the contents of the application. 4) Learned advocate for the applicant submits that the entire amount of the impugned award has been deposited by the Acquiring Body. 5) Supreme Court in the judgment of Collector, Land Acquisition, Anantnag and another Vs. Mst. Katji and Others reported in 1987 SC 1353, has held that: “Every day’s delay must be explained” does not mean that a pedantic approach should be made. Why not every house’s delay. Every second’s delay ? The doctrine must be applied in a rational common sense pragmatic manner.” 6) Supreme Court in the case of S. Ganesharaju (Dead) through Lrs V. Narasamma (Dead) through Lrs reported in (2013) 11 SCC 341, more specifically, paragraph Nos. 12 and 13, of the said judgment held that a liberal construction to the cause of delay should be given. The said paragraphs are reproduced herein below: 12. The expression “sufficient cause” as appearing in Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963, has to be given a liberal construction so as to advance substantial justice. Unless the respondents are able to show malafides in not approaching the court within the period of limitation, generally as a normal rule, delay should be condoned. The trend of the courts while dealing with the matter with regard to condonation of delay has KVM 3/4 40 - FAST 20841 OF 2017.doc tilted more towards condoning delay and directing the parties to contest the matter on merits, meaning thereby that such technicalities have been given go-by. 13. The rules of limitation are not meant to destroy or foreclose the right of parties. They are meant to see that parties do not resort to dilatory tactics but seek their remedy promptly. 7) Bombay High Court in the judgment of Kamalbai Narasaiyya Shrimal and Another Vs. Ganpat Vithalrao Gavare reported in 2007 (1) MH. L.J. 807, paragraph Nos.13 and 15 has held: 13. The factual position is manifestly clear on bare perusal of the application for condonation filed by the petitioners before the learned District Judge. The only relevant statement in the application is thus: “The delay caused in preferring the appeal is of six months. The caused delay is not intentional one. The appellants are poor and helpless persons. If the delay is not condoned appellant may cause irreparable loss which cannot be compensated in terms of money. The suit was for recovery of possession and present appellants are tenants. If the delay is not condoned then appellants will become shelterless.” 15. The expression “sufficient cause” cannot be erased from section of the Limitation Act by adopting excessive liberal approach which would defeat the very purpose of section 5 of the Limitation Act. There must be some cause which can be termed as a sufficient one for the purpose of delay condonation. I do not find any such “sufficient cause” stated in the application and as such no interference in the impugned order is called for.” 8) According to me, considering the submissions made in the Civil Application and the law laid down in above judgments, a case is made out to allow the Civil Application. KVM 4/4 40 - FAST 20841 OF 2017.doc 9) The Civil Application is allowed in terms of prayer clause (b) and disposed of accordingly. FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 20841 OF 2017 10) This First Appeal has been filed challenging the Judgment and Award dated 29 December, 2012 passed by the Joint Civil Judge, Senior Division, Nashik in Land Acquisition Reference No. 300 of 2004. 11) Acquisition of the land pertains to the notification dated 14 April, 1997 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act. The land pertains to Village Dahegaon, Taluka and District Nashik. 12) Admit. 13) The Appellants to file private paper-book within a period of six months from today. A copy of the same to be served on other side. 14) Soft copy of R & P be sent by the trial Court to the High Court within 4 weeks from today. Original R & P should be preserved by the trial Court till further orders of this Court. Original R & P to be sent to the High Court when called for. [RAJESH S. PATIL, J.]