Gauhati High Court|Thursday, 19 February 2026
Gauhati HC Dismisses Land Compensation Claim After 50-Year Delay in Prodhani vs State of Assam
Bench
SK
Sanjay Kumar Medhi
Sanjay Kumar Medhi
Gauhati HC Dismisses Land Compensation Claim After 50-Year Delay in Prodhani vs State of Assam (2026) held that The court emphasized that claims for compensation must be made within a reasonable time frame, and inordinate delay can bar relief.
The case involves a petition filed by the descendants of landowners whose land was acquired in 1967 under the Assam State Acquisition of Zamindaries Act, seeking compensation that had not been paid. The petitioners approached the court in 2016, claiming compensation based on a valuation prepared by the Deputy Commissioner. The court found the delay of nearly 50 years in filing the claim to be unreasonable and ruled that the petitioners failed to provide adequate justification for the delay. Consequently, the court dismissed the petition due to laches and lack of merit.
The court emphasized that claims for compensation must be made within a reasonable time frame, and inordinate delay can bar relief.
The principle of laches applies in writ proceedings, and the submission of representations does not extend the limitation period.
The court highlighted that the conduct of the petitioners is crucial in determining the maintainability of the writ petition.
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