Allahabad High Court
MANOJ KUMARversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 3 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- ROHIT RANJAN AGARWAL
Holding
The Court ordered the lower court to decide Reference Case No. 21 of 2026 within six months, without adjudicating the merits.
Summary
Manoj Kumar filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the State of Uttar Pradesh to decide Reference Case No. 21 of 2026 concerning the classification of his land as non‑agricultural under Section 143 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 and the claim for compensation for structures and trees. The petitioner argued that the reference case was pending and that delay was causing prejudice. The High Court observed that no further purpose would be served by keeping the matter pending and ordered the lower court to dispose of the reference case within six months of the certified copy of the order. The Court emphasized that it was not deciding the merits of the land‑classification dispute. Consequently, the petition was disposed of after issuing the directive.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court should issue a mandamus directing the respondent to decide the pending reference case within a stipulated period
Legislation cited
Subjects
- mandamus
- writ petition
- land reform
- agricultural land classification
- compensation
- reference case
- expeditious disposal
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - C No. - 38454 of 2026
Manoj Kumar
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 3 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Ajay Kumar Sharma
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C., Dharmendra Singh Chauhan
Court No. - 9
HON'BLE ROHIT RANJAN AGARWAL, J.
1. This petition has been filed with the following prayer:-
"A. Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus
commanding the respondent no.2 to decide reference case no.21 of 2026
Manoj Kumar vs. State of U.P. within stipulated period, while
considering the petitioner's objections regarding the erroneous treatment
of the petitioner's land as agricultural land despite its declaration as non-
agricultural under Section 143 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition
and Land Reforms Act, 1950, and also regarding the non-award of
compensation for constructions, other permanent assets, and trees
standing on the petitioner's acquired land and exemplar sale deed filed by
the petitioner."
2. It is contended that a Reference Case No. 21 of 2026 is pending
consideration. The sole prayer made is for expeditious disposal of the
same.
3. As no useful purpose would be served in keeping the matter pending or
calling for counter affidavit or issuing notice to the respondents, at this
admission stage, the court below is hereby directed to proceed with the
aforesaid Reference Case No. 21 of 2026 and decide the same within a
period of six months from the date of production of certified copy of this
order, in accordance with law, after hearing all affected parties.
4. With the aforesaid directions, the petition stands disposed of.
WRIC No. 38454 of 2026
2
5. It is made clear that this Court has not adjudicated the matter on merits.
(Rohit Ranjan Agarwal,J.)
September 23, 2026
A. V. Singh
Digitally signed by :-
AJAY VIKRAM SINGH
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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