Shahid Jamal vs State Of U.P.

The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in dismissing the appellants' application for reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, on the grounds of being time-barred. The Court found that the appellants had made a valid request for reference on 24.07.1999, which was within the six-month period stipulated under Section 18(2) of the Act. Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and directed the reference to be made to the appropriate court.