Yogendra Kumar Srivastava, J. - (1.) Heard Sri Gyan Prakash Verma, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri Manuvalkya Upadhyaya, learned counsel appearing for respondent no.1 and Sri Nagendra Kumar Pandey, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of respondent nos.2, 3 and 4.
(2.) The petitioners, through the present writ petition, have come to this Court seeking a direction to respondent no.2 to pay compensation to the petitioners with interest in respect of gata nos.345Kha/0.877, 346/0.022, 346/0.036, 362Ka/0.106, 382/0.017, 384/0.010, 393Chha/0.191, 993Ga/0.038, 993Ga/0.186, 998/0.167, 1002/0.029, 1003/0.160, 1003/0.160 and 1006/0.019 hectares situate in Village Khadiya, Pargana Singrauli, Tehsil Duddhi, District Sonebhadra, said to have been acquired some time in the year 1991. No particulars with regard to the acquisition proceedings have either been referred to in the pleadings nor any material has been placed on record to show as to when the land was notified for acquisition. The revenue records in the form of certain khatauni extracts have been placed on record which indicate that the plots in question were recorded in the name of NCL (National Coal Field Ltd.) some time in the year 1992.
(3.) The sole contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that a representation had been sent by the petitioners claiming compensation in respect of the said plots on 21.03.2017, and thereafter another representation dated 23.01.2019 has also been sent. There is no explanation in the writ petition for the long delay of more than 26 years in raising a claim with regard to compensation in respect of land said to have been acquired in the year 1991-92. Despite repeated queries counsel for the petitioners has not been able to submit any explanation for the inordinate delay by the petitioners in raising their claim for compensation and also the delay/laches in filing of the writ petition.;