Pushpa Raju v. The District Collector And Arbitrator,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12.03.2026 Coram THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE Pushpa Raju D/o.Ramachandra Raju .. Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector & Arbitrator, Collector Office Complex, Chengalpattu District.

2.The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), Unit-II, National Highways, Chengalpattu.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), PIU, Kancheepuram / Chengalpattu.

.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to number, consider and adjudicate upon the Statutory Appeal dated 09.01.2026 filed in connection with the Award R.C.No.240/2025/Unit-II dated 05.11.2025 and consequently, to conduct an inquiry into the matter within a time-bound period as this Court may deem fit. 1/4

For Petitioner :

Mr.L.Sarath Pandian for Mr.Anish Gopi For Respondents :

Mr.D.Ravichander Special Government Pleader [R1 & R2] Mr.Abishek Yadav Standing Counsel [R3] *****

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the first respondent to number, consider and adjudicate upon the Statutory Appeal dated 09.01.2026 pending on the file of the first respondent.

2. Mr.D.Ravichander, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.Abishek Yadav, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the third respondent.

3. No prejudice will be caused to the respondents if a direction is issued to the first respondent to dispose of the statutory appeal dated 09.01.2026 filed by the petitioner by adhering to the principles of natural justice within a time frame fixed by this Court. Since the appeal was filed by 2/4

the petitioner only recently i.e. on 09.01.2026, this Court directs the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's statutory appeal dated 09.01.2026 within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order by adhering to the principles of natural justice.

4. This writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid directions. No costs.

12.03.2026 Index: Yes/No NCC:Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order gm To 1.The District Collector & Arbitrator, Collector Office Complex, Chengalpattu District.

2.The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), Unit-II, National Highways, Chengalpattu.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), PIU, Kancheepuram / Chengalpattu.

3/4

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J gm 12.03.2026 4/4