Kannan v. The Arbitrator Cum District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE Kannan S/o.Thirupathi D.No.3/1769-C,Mullai Nagar Vennampatti Road, Collectorate Road, Dharmapuri Taluk and District ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Arbitrator cum District collector Dharmapuri District
2. The competent authority (LA) and Special District Revenue officer(NH-844) 4, Power House colony 3rd cross, Salem Main Road Opp.to Iyappa Temple Krishnagiri -635 001
3. The Project Director(PIU) National Highways 259/1, Salem Main Road Krishnagiri -635 001
4. The Special Tahsildar (LA) Unit I, NH 844 Dharmapuri ..Respondent(s) Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to dispose of petitioner's representation dated 2.1.2026 as like near land owner Kanimozhi for payment of compensation awarded Rs.7215 per sq.mt in the way of Roc.20/2018/LA dated 1.7.2022 by the 2nd respondent For Petitioner(s):
Mr.M.Ravi
For Respondent(s):
Mr.D.Ravichander,SGP For R1, R2,R4 M/s.S.R.Sumathy,SC For R3
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 1st respondent to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 02.01.2026 wherein the petitioner requested payment of compensation for the acquired lands, more fully disclosed in the prayer to the writ petition, on par with similarly situated nearby land owners.
2.
The petitioner claims that he purchased the property in Survey Nos.506/2A2A, 510/2A and 509/1B1 through a registered Sale Deed. The 2nd respondent acquired the lands under the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956 classified them as Dry manavari Land and passed a compensation order accordingly. Aggrieved by the compensation fixed by the 2nd respondent, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 02.01.2026 to the respondents. Since the same has not been considered, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.
3.
Apart from seeking the aforesaid relief, the petitioner is also seeking for determination of compensation by the arbitrator at the rate of Rs.7215 Sq.mt. However, the said request cannot be entertained by this Court
as it is for the arbitrator to determine the compensation amount payable to the petitioner for the subject lands in question. The learned counsel for the petitioner has also not pressed the said relief before this Court and has confined the prayer only to the early disposal of the arbitration proceedings by the 1st respondent.
4.
No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if a direction is issued to the 1st respondent to pass an arbitral award pertaining to the lands in question, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. 5.
This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's representation 6.
For the foregoing reasons, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 1st respondent to pass an arbitral award in respect of the land in question pertaining to the property belonging to the petitioner more fully described in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, by adhering to the principles of natural justice, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.
24-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RKA
To
1. The Arbitrator cum District collector Dharmapuri District
2. The competent authority (LA) and Special District Revenue officer(NH-844) 4, Power House colony 3rd cross, salem Main Road Opp.to Iyappa Temple Krishnagiri -635 001
3. The Project Director(PIU) National Highways 259/1, Salem Main Road Krishnagiri -635 001
4. The Special Tahsildar (LA) Unit I, NH 844 Dharmapuri
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
RKA 24-03-2026