SCA/2740/1996 of MANIBEN BHAILALBHAI PATEL Vs SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF GUJARAT on 17 December 1996

1. Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgements?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether Their Lordships wish to see the fair copy of the judgement?

4. Whether this case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution of India, 1950 of any Order made thereunder?

5. Whether it is to be circulated to the Civil Judge?

-------------------------------------------------------------- MANIBEN BHAILALBHAI PATEL

Versus

SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF GUJARAT

-------------------------------------------------------------- CORAM : MISS JUSTICE R.M.DOSHIT

Date of decision: 17/12/96

ORAL JUDGEMENT

Petitioner is the owner of the land bearing survey No. 172, admeasuring 3705 sq.mtrs. i.e. final plot no. 243 situated at Vadaj. Under Town Planning Scheme No.29, said lands have been reserved for "public housing" under sec.l2(2) (K) of the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, 1976 [hereinafter referred to as "the Act"]. A Notification of reservation under the Act was issued on 16th September, 1983. It appears that the said lands were not acquired or used for the purpose for which it were reserved for l0 years. The petitioner, therefore, on 22nd August, 1995, served a notice under sec.20(2) to appropriate authority requiring it to acquire the lands. Inspite of the said notice, the appropriate authority failed to take any step to acquire the said lands either by agreement or under the Land Acquisition Act, l894. The petitioner has, therefore, preferred this petition for declaration that the reservation of the said lands under the Town Planning Scheme published on 16th September, 1983 has lapsed.

2. The matter at issue in this petition is no more res - integra. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority v. Manilal Gordhandas and others [JT 1996 (8) SC 646], has decided the point at issue against the land owners. The Court has held that the draft development plan which was sanctioned and notified on 2.11.1987 shall be deemed to be the final development plan within the meaning of section 20 of the Gujarat Town Planning Act. As such, period of ten years has to be calculated and counted with reference to 3rd December, l987 the date when such final has held that the draft development plan which was sanctioned and notified on 2.11.1987 shall be deemed to be the final development plan within the meaning of section 20 of the Gujarat Town Planning Act. As such, period of ten years has to be calculated and counted with reference to 3rd December, l987 the date when such final development plan was to come into force.

In view of the above decision, the final development plan having come into force on 3rd December, 1987, the petitioner could not have invoked the provisions of section 20(2) of the Act before the expiry of ten years from 3.l2.1987. Thus, the notice given on 22nd August, 1995 was premature and no declaration can be given as is prayed for by the petitioner.

In the event, this petition fails. Petition is dismissed. Rule is discharged. There shall be no order as to costs.

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