JUDGMENT :

SANDEEP V. MARNE, J.

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the parties, called out for final hearing. Mr. S.G. Sangle, learned advocate waives notice for respondent No. 5 in all the matters. Mrs. Geeta L. Deshpande, Mr. K.B. Jadhvar and Mr. K.N. Lokhande, learned AGPs waive service on behalf of respondent-State in the respective matters.

2. A short issue that invites attention of this Court in this petition is whether the authority under Section 64 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act of 2013’) can condone delay beyond the maximum period prescribed under that section. The issue arises on account of challenge set up by petitioners to the order passed by the Sub Divisional Officer and Land Acquisition Officer, Sillod dated 25.04.2022 by which it is held that the references filed by petitioners were beyond the maximum period specified under Section 64 of the Act of 2013 and therefore the same have been rejected.

3. Brief facts of the case are that, Section 4 notification in respect of the lands of petitioners was published on 07.12.2012 and th