UDAI PRATAP SINGH vs GULAB DAS .

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's dismissal of the writ petition under Section 21(1)(a) of the U.P. Act No. XIII of 1972 was improper as it failed to decide the matter on merits after 22 years of litigation. The Court emphasized that the prolonged pendency should not be attributed to the petitioner and remitted the case for de novo consideration. The appeal was disposed of with no order as to costs, directing the High Court to expedite the hearing within six months.