The State is directed to deposit enhanced land acquisition compensation amounts as per a final decree within a specified period (four months) when there is a deliberate delay in payment.

ORDER

Heard Sri V.Srihari, learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Irrigation appearing for respondent No.1, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Finance appearing for respondent No.2 and Sri Somu Srinivas Reddy, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Land Acquisition appearing for respondent Nos.3 and 4.

2. This writ petition is filed seeking following relief:-

“...to issue directions for immediate deposit of amount of compensation by the respondents to the petitioners herein in terms of Judgment and Decree passed in L.A.O.P. No. 842 of 2013, dated 15.03.2017 on the file of Hon’ble Principal District Judge, Warangal and may be pleased to grant a writ, order or direction, more in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the inaction and deliberate delay by the respondents, more specifically the respondents in not complying and depositing the compensation amount due to the petitioners pursuant to the judgment and decree passed in L.A.O.P. No. 842 of 2013, dated 15.03.2017 on the file of Hon’ble Principal District Judge, Warangal as illegal, arbitrary and offending Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, besides being violative of Judgments of this Hon’ble Court rendered in several other cases in similar circumstances and consequently direct them to deposit the entire decretal amounts to the credit of the E.P. No.85 of 2026 in L.A.O.P. No. 842 of 2013, on the file of Principal District Judge, Mahabubabad and comply with the same...”

3. The petitioners are questioning the action of the respondents in not paying the compensation to the petitioners having acquired their lands despite an order of enhanced compensation ordered in L.A.O.P No.842 of 2013 on the file of erstwhile Principal District, Judge, Warangal (presently Principal District Judge, Mahabubabad District).

4. Brief facts of the case as stated are that the Land Acquisition Officer in pursuant to a Draft Notification under Section 491) of L.A. Act, 1894 in the A.P. Gazette dated 19.12.2008 acquired the petitioners agricultural lands to an extent of Ac.05.30 ½ guntas for the purpose of excavation of canal under SRSP, Stage-II within the limits of Rampur Village, Maripeda Mandal, Warangal District (presently Mahabubabad District) and passed award bearing No.80/2011-12 dated 5.02.2012 fixing the market value of acquired lands @ Rs.90/- per square yard for Category-I lands, Rs.80/- per square yard for Category-II lands and Rs.60/- per square yard for Category-II lands. It is submitted that the representations were made to the LAO for proper determination of market value of the acquired lands were ignored. It is further submitted that the petitioners have received the compensation fixed by the LAO under protest and on reference by LAO under Section 18 of the LA Act, claim petitions were filed by the petitioners before the reference Court. The Principal District Judge, Warangal District, vide judgment and decree dated 5.03.207 passed in L.A.O.P No.842 of 2013 enhanced the market value of acquired lands from Rs.90/- to Rs.300/- per square yard for Category-I lands, Rs.80/- to Rs.250/- per square yard for Category-II lands and Rs.60/- to Rs.200/- per square yard for Category-III lands and the same had attained finality by judgment and decree dated 16.10.2024 passed in LAAS No.604 of 2017 by this Court. It is further submitted that the petitioners made several visits to the office of the respondents, but the amounts were not deposited. The petitioners filed E.P.No.85 of 2026 on the file of Principal District Judge, Mahabubabad seeking direction to deposit the entire decretal amount along with occurred interest