Dilip B. Bhosale,J. - (1.) The order of reference dated 05.08.2015, which has occasioned the constitution of this Full Bench, has been passed by a Division Bench at the request of the learned counsel for the parties having regard to few judgments of the learned single Judges disposing writ petitions, assailing inaction of registering authorities in receiving, registering and delivering the documents presented for registration in exercise of the powers under Section 22-A of the Registration Act,1908 (for short "Registration Act"). In those judgments, various directions have been issued by the learned single Judges, which, according to the learned counsel for the parties, are either conflicting or inconsistent.
(2.) Along with these Writ Appeals (W.A.Nos. 343 of 2015, 232 of 2012 and 352 of 2013) several other writ appeals and more than 1200 writ petitions, where similar challenge has been raised, were also listed for hearing before the Division Bench, when the reference order was passed. This Bench is informed that more than 2000 writ appeals/petitions are pending in this Court raising similar challenge awaiting adjudication.
(3.) The reference order dated 05.08.2015 reads thus: "Learned counsel appearing for the parties have jointly requested to refer this batch of writ appeals/petitions to a Full Bench. The request is made in view of the fact that there are five judgments of five learned Judges dealing with Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908. One of the judgments is written by one of us (S.V.Bhatt, J). The view taken in all five judgments is not similar. In view thereof, we direct the office to place this order before the Hon'ble the Acting Chief Justice on the administrative side for constituting a Full Bench. It is made clear that since the questions arising from Section 22-A are framed in the five judgments, we are not framing any question as such at this stage. The questions to be considered by the Full Bench will be framed by the said Bench.";