Equitable writ relief under a settlement scheme may be denied for unexplained delay, procedural default, and suppression of material facts.

A writ petition challenging rejection under the Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 was refused because it was filed more than two and a half years after rejection without a cogent explanation. The Court also noted non-compliance with the Scheme's procedural directions, despite an to proceed as a co-noticee, and held that reliance on the COVID-19 period could not cure the earlier unexplained delay. Suppression of material facts and failure to approach the Court with clean hands further defeated the claim for equitable relief under Article 226. The petition was dismissed.

---

---

Issues: Whether the writ petition challenging rejection of the declaration under the Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 was liable to be entertained despite inordinate delay, non-compliance with the scheme procedure, and suppression of material facts.

Analysis: The petition was filed more than two and a half years after communication of the rejection, without any cogent explanation for the delay. The petitioner did not show compliance with the directions and remarks contained in the acknowledgment issued under the Scheme, although an opportunity had been afforded to proceed further as a co-noticee. The Court held that mere reference to the COVID-19 period could not cure the unexplained pre-existing delay, particularly when the petitioner had not acted with diligence. The petition also suffered from non-disclosure of material facts and failure to approach the Court with clean hands. The equitable nature of relief under Article 226 required prompt action and candour, both of which were absent.

Conclusion: The writ petition was not entitled to relief and was dismissed.

Final Conclusion: Belated invocation of the writ jurisdiction, coupled with procedural non-compliance and suppression of relevant facts, defeated the claim for interference under the Scheme.

Ratio Decidendi: A writ petition seeking equitable relief against rejection under a statutory settlement scheme may be refused where the petitioner approaches after an unexplained delay, fails to follow the prescribed procedure, and withholds material facts.

---