Parity in land acquisition compensation can justify liberal delay condonation and enhanced relief for similarly placed landowners.

In land acquisition compensation disputes, a liberal approach to condonation of delay may be warranted where similarly situated landowners have already obtained relief and strict delay scrutiny would defeat substantive justice. The Court accepted that parity-based relief can be granted without remand when identical matters have already resulted in enhanced compensation, and it may mould relief to extend the same benefit to other landowners. The appellants were granted enhanced compensation on the same terms as comparable claimants, with statutory benefits, but interest was excluded for the delayed period.

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Issues: (i) Whether 1110 days' delay in filing the appeal should be condoned in the acquisition matter; (ii) Whether the appellants were entitled to the same enhanced compensation granted to similarly situated landowners without remand.

Issue (i): Whether 1110 days' delay in filing the appeal should be condoned in the acquisition matter.

Analysis: The explanation for the delay was found to be vague and unsatisfactory, but the matter arose from a land acquisition dispute concerning compensation. In such cases, where similarly situated landowners had already obtained relief in connected matters, a strict approach to delay could defeat substantive justice. The Court emphasised that a liberal view is warranted in acquisition matters, especially where affected persons may be illiterate, uninformed, or guided by co-villagers or counsel, and where the Court can take cognizance of relief already granted in identical matters.

Conclusion: The delay was condoned and the appeal was permitted to proceed.

Issue (ii): Whether the appellants were entitled to the same enhanced compensation granted to similarly situated landowners without remand.

Analysis: Since another Single Judge had already enhanced compensation in identical matters, the Court accepted the request to avoid remand and grant the appellants the same benefit. The Court applied parity in compensation and relied on the power to mould relief so that landowners similarly placed receive the same compensation. It also preserved the position regarding delay by excluding interest for the delayed period.

Conclusion: The appellants were held entitled to enhanced compensation at the rate of Rs. 1,216 per sq. yard with other statutory benefits, but without interest for the period of delay.

Final Conclusion: The impugned order was set aside, the delay was condoned, and the appellants obtained the same enhanced compensation as other similarly situated landowners, subject to exclusion of interest for the delayed period.

Ratio Decidendi: In land acquisition compensation matters, where similarly situated claimants have already received enhanced compensation, courts should adopt a liberal approach to delay and may grant parity-based relief to avoid denying substantive justice on technical grounds.

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