Bombay High Court

NAROTTAM RAGHUNATH PATILversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND ORS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court held that the respondent must decide the pending application under Section 21 of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 on its merits within twelve weeks.

Summary

Narottam Raghunath Patil filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, challenging the State of Maharashtra's failure to decide his pending application under Section 21 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The petitioner alleged that the delay infringed his statutory right to a timely decision on compensation and rehabilitation matters. The Court examined whether the administrative inaction violated the provisions of the Act and the principles of natural justice. Relying on the mandatory nature of Section 21, the Court concluded that the State must adjudicate the application without further undue delay. Accordingly, the Court disposed of the writ petition by directing Respondent No.3 to decide the pending application on its merits within twelve weeks of receiving a copy of the order.

Issues considered

The State's delay in deciding the petitioner's application under Section 21 of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013
Whether the Court can compel a time‑bound decision by the administrative authority under the Act

Legislation cited

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 — s. 21

Subjects

land acquisition
Section 21
RFCTLARR Act
writ petition
administrative delay
timely decision

Judgment

                                  *1*                    903-wp-5010-2026


           IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                       BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                903 WRIT PETITION NO. 5010 OF 2026

                   Narottam Raghunath Patil
                            VERSUS
  The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others
                               ...
Mr. Vinayak S. Dahihande, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr. N. D. Batule, AGP for Respondents/State
                               …
                       CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI &
                               ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
                       DATE : 27th AUGUST 2026

P. C. :-

1.         Writ Petition is disposed of by directing Respondent No.3

to decide the pending application under Section 21 of the Right

to Fair Compensation and Transparency in land Acquisition,

Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 filed by the

petitioner, if already not decided, on its own merits and within a

period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of

this order.




(ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.)                (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)




Narwade

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