Delay and laches can defeat writ relief when unexplained and disruptive of settled arrangements under Article 226.

Unexplained inordinate delay and laches can justify refusal of writ relief under Article 226, especially where belated intervention would unsettle settled arrangements, prejudice the opposite party, or affect third-party interests. On the stated facts, the delay in challenging the acquisition and seeking restoration of land was not satisfactorily explained, and the asserted representations did not excuse the failure to approach the court in time. The claim for restoration under Section 39(2a) of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961 therefore did not warrant interference, and the writ relief was declined on the ground of delay and laches.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition deserved dismissal on the ground of inordinate and unexplained delay and laches, and whether the appellant could still seek restoration of acquired land under Section 39(2a) of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961.

Analysis: Delay and laches are relevant considerations in the exercise of discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Where a party approaches the writ court after an inordinate lapse of time without satisfactory explanation, the court may refuse relief, particularly where the delay may prejudice the opposite party and disturb settled arrangements. The principle applies with greater force when third-party interests and public inconvenience may result from belated intervention. On the facts, the long delay in challenging the acquisition and seeking restoration was not adequately explained, and the claimed representations did not justify the failure to move the court in time.

Conclusion: The writ relief was rightly declined on the ground of delay and laches, and the appellant was not entitled to interference in the appeal.

Ratio Decidendi: Unexplained inordinate delay and laches can justify refusal of writ relief under Article 226, especially where granting relief would unsettle concluded matters and prejudice others.

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