THE STATE OF GUJARAT vs GOPALBHAI BECHARBHAI

The Supreme Court held that under Section 18(2) read with Section 31 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, claimants must file an application for reference within 30 days of the award or within six months of receiving notice under Section 12(2). The Court found that the application filed after three years was time-barred, rendering the High Court's directive to make a reference to the civil court illegal. Consequently, the appeals were allowed, and the High Court's order was set aside.