Ramanathan Chettiar v. Wickramarachchi and Others – 1978_79 volume 2 page 395

In the case between Ramanathan Chettiar (trustee of the temporalities of the Old Kathiresan Temple) and Wickramarachchi and Others (including the acquiring officer and members of the Board of Review), the primary issue concerned whether a claimant who fails to give written notice of claim within the time prescribed by the Land Acquisition Act retains the right to appeal a compensation award. It was held that the right of appeal is not extinguished by strict non-compliance with the notification requirement, provided that a claim for compensation is made before the conclusion of the inquiry. The decision reaffirmed the principle that statutory provisions should be construed in light of their purpose and subsequent amendments, rather than relying on outdated judicial interpretations. The reas