In Brief
The State of Punjab challenged High Court orders dismissing its appeals against compensation awarded for lands acquired for the Ranjit Sagar Dam Project. The High Court had declined to condone a 492-day delay in filing the appeal and dismissed the State's case both on limitation and merits. The Supreme Court held that the High Court should have properly appreciated the reasons for the delay set out in the State's affidavit. Finding the delay should be condoned in the interest of justice, and noting the High Court had not substantively discussed the materials supporting the compensation award, the Court allowed the appeals and remanded the matters to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits.
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