The courts must ensure timely processing of land conservation applications under specified legal frameworks.

JUDGMENT

The above writ petition is filed with following prayers :

“i) issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the 3rd respondent to consider and pass orders on Exhibit P 3 Form 5 application of the petitioners after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner within a time limit fixed by this Hon’ble Court;

ii) Issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents to remove petitioners’ property from data bank.

iii) Declare that the total of 14 Ares 19 Square meters of land lying in Survey No: 200/11-3 of PulikkalVillage in Kondotty Taluk, Malappuram District is not paddy land.

iv) Dispense with the translation of vernacular documents. v) Issue such other appropriate writ, order or direction which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit in the circumstances of the case. “ [sic]

2. When this writ petition came up for consideration, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that he will be satisfied if a direction is issued to consider Ext.P3 application submitted in Form 5 under Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules , 2008.

3. Heard the learned Government Pleader also.

4. After hearing both sides, I think that prayer can be allowed.

Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

1. The 6^th respondent is directed to submit the necessary report based on the Ext. P3 application to the 3^rd respondent/Authorised Officer, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.

2. The 3^rd respondent/Authorised Officer is directed to consider Ext. P3 application (if it is pending and if it is in order) based on the report received from the 6^th respondent, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the report.

3. The petitioner will produce a certified copy of this judgment, along with a copy of this Writ Petition with exhibits, before the

3^rd and 6^th respondents for compliance.