Delay and laches barred interference with Sabka Vishwas Scheme determination after belated challenge and unexplained inaction.

Delay and laches defeated the challenge to the Sabka Vishwas Scheme determination, as the petitioner failed to act promptly after being informed of the estimated arrears liability and also did not approach the Court within the scheme period. The Bombay HC found no bona fides in the belated request for interference and treated the unexplained inaction as fatal to relief. The writ petition was therefore not entertained, and the challenge to the scheme determination failed.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition challenging the Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme determination deserved interference despite the petitioner's delay, inaction, and failure to act within the scheme period.

Analysis: The petitioner had been informed of the estimated amount payable under the arrears category, but did not challenge the determination promptly and did not approach the Court within a reasonable time, even though the scheme remained open until 31 October 2020. The Court held that the petitioner showed no bona fides in seeking relief after substantial delay and that the belated approach defeated the claim for interference. The Court also noted that the delay and laches were fatal to the request for relief under the scheme.

Conclusion: The writ petition was not entertained and the challenge to the scheme determination failed.

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