THE GROUP GENERAL MANAGAR, ONGCversusLEGAL HEIRS OF PRATHIJI BHAVANJI VAGHELA
- Disposal
- 39-RULE DISCHARGED/DISMISSED @ FH
- Bench
- C DOSHI
Holding
Appeals involving compensation below Rs 5 lakh are dismissed as petty claims in accordance with the State Government’s resolution.
Summary
The Group General Manager of ONGC appealed against a compensation award granted to the legal heirs of Prathiji Bhavanji Vaghela, contending that the award should be reviewed. The State Government, via a Government Resolution dated 25‑10‑2016, had classified claims up to Rs 5 lakh as petty and directed that such matters be disposed of without full appellate scrutiny. The High Court noted that the compensation sought in both First Appeals (Nos. 2171/2014 and 2176/2014) was below Rs 5 lakh. Applying the State Government’s resolution, the Court declined to entertain the appeals, dismissing them on the ground of the smallness of the amount. The order expressly stated that no legal issue was decided and the dismissal should not be treated as precedent. The reference court was instructed to disburse the compensation, after deducting court fees and adding interest, to the verified claimants.
Issues considered
- Whether an appeal challenging a compensation award of less than Rs 5 lakh can be entertained by the High Court.
- Whether the State Government’s resolution treating claims up to Rs 5 lakh as petty mandates dismissal of such appeals.
Subjects
Judgment
C/FA/2171/2014 ORDER DATED: 23/04/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 2171 of 2014
With
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 2176 of 2014
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THE GROUP GENERAL MANAGAR, ONGC
Versus
LEGAL HEIRS OF PRATHIJI BHAVANJI VAGHELA & ORS.
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR RITURAJ M MEENA(3224) for the Appellant(s) No. 1
KRUSHITA D DAVE(7857) for the Defendant(s) No. 1.3
MR. KISHAN H DAIYA(6929) for the Defendant(s) No. 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5.1,1.5.2
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE J. C. DOSHI
Date : 23/04/2026
ORDER
In the first appeals, the amount of compensation
involved is below Rs.5 lakh.
The State Government vide GR dated 25.10.2016
through its Revenue Department, has resolved that claims
upto Rs.5 lakh are to be considered as petty claims and the
matters involving amount upto Rs.5 lakh be disposed of
accordingly.
Having heard the submissions made at bar by learned
AGP, the amount involved in the subject matter of present
First Appeals is on lower side i.e. less than Rs.5,00,000/- and
therefore, considering the smallness of the awarded amount
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C/FA/2171/2014 ORDER DATED: 23/04/2026
involved in the present appeals, the Court is not inclined to
entertain the present appeals and therefore, present appeals
stand dismissed on account of smallness of amount.
Consequently, CA, if any, does not survive and stands
disposed of accordingly.
However, it is clarified that dismissal of present appeals
shall not be construed that the Court has decided any legal
issue involved in the subject matter of present appeals and
therefore, the decision of present appeals shall not be treated
as precedent for deciding any legal issue.
Registry to maintain copy of this order in each matter.
Registry is directed to return back the R & P, if any, to
the concerned Court forthwith.
The learned Reference Court is directed to disburse the
amount of compensation deposited by the State Government
after deducting Court fee to the claimants after due
verification and identification along with interest and after
verifying their right to claim the compensation.
(J. C. DOSHI,J)
SHEKHAR P. BARVE
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: SHEKHAR PRAFULBHAI BARVE(HC00200), Principal Pvt. Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 23/04/2026 14:50:27
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