Mandamus for speaking order on compensation representation, with merits left open for administrative decision.

A writ court may limit relief to a mandamus requiring the authority to consider a pending representation and pass a speaking order where the merits of the compensation claim are not adjudicated. The Court confined itself to directing administrative examination of the petitioner's request for compensation under the land acquisition law and did not record any finding on substantive entitlement. The representation was to be decided in accordance with law within the stipulated time, leaving the claim open for decision on merits.

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Issues: Whether the respondent authority should be directed to consider and decide the petitioner's representation seeking compensation under the land acquisition enactment.

Analysis: The petition was disposed of on the petitioner's request for a direction to the authority to examine the representation and pass a reasoned decision. The Court did not enter into the merits of the compensation claim and confined relief to a direction for consideration of the representation by a speaking order within a stipulated period.

Conclusion: The representation was directed to be considered and decided in accordance with law by a speaking order, and no finding was recorded on the merits of the claim.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition was finally disposed of with limited mandamus relief for administrative consideration, leaving the substantive entitlement open.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a representation requires administrative consideration, the Court may direct the authority to decide it by a speaking order without expressing any opinion on the merits.

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