Babulal v. The Arbitrator Cum District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN & C.M.P.No.3600 of 2026 Babulal S/o Abdul Jaffar Door.No.166, Kurrupatti Village Maathigiri Post, Hosur Taluk Krishnagiri District 635 109.

Appellant(s) Vs

1. The Arbitrator Cum District Collector Collectorate Office

2. The Competent Authority/ Special District Revenue Officer Land Acquisition National Highways 844 (Hosur Royakottai Dharmapuri Section)

3. The Project Director (NH 844) National Highways Authority Of India Piu Krishnagiri, 259/1, Salem Main Road Near KAKC Petrol Bunk

4. The Executive Engineer Construction And Maintenance Public Works Department Respondent(s) Prayer : Appeal under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent seeking to set aside the impugned order dated 08.01.2026 passed in W.P.No.14886 of 2025.

For Appellant(s):

Mr. C.Prabakar For Mr.

R.Ramesh Raja For Respondent(s):

Mr. K.Karthik Jagannath Government Advocate for R1, R2 & R4 Mrs. S.R.Sumathy Standing Counsel for R3

JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Challenge to the order of the learned Single Judge is premised mainly on the submission that once the writ petition was filed and status quo order was passed by writ Court, further proceedings and implementation of award could not be allowed.

2. It is not the case of appellant that after the status quo

order was passed on 25.04.2025, award was passed.

3. From the records, it is clear that even prior to the passing of interim order of status quo on 05.04.2025, award was passed on 13.03.2025.

4. If that be so, the remedy of appellant lies in challenging the award by taking recourse to the proceedings known to law. That is what learned Single Judge has done. Therefore, reserving liberty, as has been granted by learned Single Judge, appeal is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim application is also dismissed.

(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 16.02.2026 Index :

Yes/No Yes/No kpl

To

1. The Arbitrator Cum District Collector Collectorate Office

2. The Competent Authority/ Special District Revenue Officer Land Acquisition National Highways 844 (Hosur Royakottai Dharmapuri Section)

3. The Project Director (NH 844) National Highways Authority Of India Piu Krishnagiri, 259/1, Salem Main Road Near KAKC Petrol Bunk

4. The Executive Engineer Construction And Maintenance Public Works Department

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

(kpl) 16.02.2026