The court emphasized the need for expeditious consideration of land ownership claims under disaster management law, ensuring fair hearing for all parties involved.

J U D G M E N T

Ext.P5 is a representation preferred by the petitioner, on the premise that it is entitled to be recognized as the owner of the land in question, which has been acquired for rehabilitating the victims of the Wayanad landslide disaster, as per the Disaster Management Act , 2005. The petitioner would maintain that the 7^th respondent is only the person in possession, who has taken the land on lease for a period of 99 years. The compensation, due to the owner, has to be paid to the petitioner. It is for ventilation of that grievance that Ext.P5 is preferred, which is pending before the 1^st respondent District Collector. The petitioner seeks expeditious disposal of the same.

2. Having heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner, learned Government Pleader on behalf of the 1^st respondent District Collector and also the learned Counsel for the 7^th respondent, this Court directs the 1^st respondent District Collector to consider Ext.P5 and to pass orders therein, in accordance with law, expeditiously, at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The petitioner will produce a copy of this judgment before the 1^st respondent, for compliance. Needless to say that the petitioner, as also, the 7^th respondent has to be afforded an opportunity of being heard, before taking a call on Ext.P5. Learned Counsel for the petitioner would hand over a copy of the notice issued to the petitioner, to contend that the petitioner was, in fact, heard already. It is therefore directed that, if an opportunity has not been granted to the 7^th respondent so far, the same shall be granted, and the matter proceeded with in accordance with law, within the time frame as stipulated above.

The writ petition will stand disposed of.