P. Kasthuri v. National Highways Authority Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 25.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN P.Kasthuri ... Petitioner / Third Respondent
Versus
1. National Highways Authority of India, Rep.by its Dy.General Manager (T) & Project Director, "SRI TOWER", 3rd Floor, DP - 34 (SP), Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 32.
... First Respondent / Petitioner
2. The Arbitrator and District Collector Collectorate, Thiruvallur.
... Second Respondent / First Respondent
3. The Competent Authority cum Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquisition), National Highways 205, No.3 & 4, Lal Bagadhur Sasthii Street, Periyakuppam Rilway Station, (Near) Thulasi Theatre, Thiruvallur - 602 001. ... Third Respondent / Second Respondent 1/7
Prayer:- Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, to direct the Principal District Court, Tiruvallur to dispose Arb.O.P.No.50 of 2023 on the file of the Principal District Court, Tiruvallur at Tiruvallur within the time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Karthikeyan For R3 : Mr.B.Tamil Nidhi, Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
Seeking a direction for the speedy disposal of the Arbitration Original Petition in Arb.O.P.No.50 of 2023 on the file of the learned Principal District Court, Tiruvallur, the petitioner has preferred the present civil revision petition.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the revision petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a 70 years old senior citizen suffering from immense hardship, mental agony, and financial strain due to the protracted litigation. Though the said Arbitration Original Petition is of the year 2023 and more than two years has been lapsed, he would submit that speedy disposal of the Arbitration Original Petition in Arb.O.P.No.50 of 2023 is just and necessary.
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3.
It is pertinent to mention that High Court cannot issue such directions for speedy disposal unless there is a justification (or) acceptable reasons for issuing any such directions. It is relevant to cite the judgment of this Court in S.Baby Vs. S.Sakkubai Ammal reported in 2023 SCC OnLine Mad 674, wherein, it has been held in paragraph nos.11 and 12 as follows: "11. In the event of issuing direction in Civil Revision Petitions for speedy disposal without considering the number of cases pending in a particular Court on Board, it will result in discrimination against many other litigants, who all are waiting for disposal of their respective cases. There are allegations against the Courts that the cases are selectively picked up and disposed of.
The plight of the poor and downtrodden are also to be taken into consideration, while disposing of the cases. The Court shall not pave way for such feeling to the litigants. The trust on the Judicial System is the Hallmark and any form of favouritism, nepotism or otherwise even in the matter of hearing of cases selectively will have larger repercussions on the system. No doubt certain cases are to be disposed of urgently, if there is a public interest involved or the litigants are able to establish genuine urgency for early disposal of the cases. Such cases alone are to be given priority.
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12. The practice of giving preference to any litigation without any justification at all circumstances to be avoided. Every litigant approaching the Court of Law is waiting for justice and thus, it must be done in a consistent manner and without discriminating the litigants. Therefore issuing directions indiscriminately for speedy disposal of cases would do no service to the cause of justice. Every urgency cannot be considered for issuing a direction for speedy disposal, and the urgency, which is imminent alone to be considered."
4.
It is also relevant to cite the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Sangram Sadashiv Suryavanshi Vs. The State of Maharashtra reported in 2024 INSC 899, wherein, it has been held as follows: "In paragraph 47.3 of the decision of a Constitution Bench of in the case of 'High Court Bar Association, Allahabad vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. reported in (2024) 6 SCC 267, this Court has held that in the ordinary course, the Constitutional Courts should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other Courts. Paragraph 47.3 reads thus:
"47.3. Constitutional courts, in the ordinary course, should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other courts. Constitutional courts may issue directions for the timebound disposal of cases only in exceptional circumstances. The issue of prioritising the disposal of 4/7
cases should be best left to the decision of the courts concerned where the cases are pending;" (underline supplied) A direction which can be issued in exceptional circumstances is being routinely issued by High Courts without noticing the law laid down by the Constitution Bench."
5.
By applying the ratio laid down in the above judgments, fixing a time-bound schedule for the Court below to dispose of the cases pending therein is not warranted. The Court concerned is expected to regulate its own procedure in respect of the cases on board for effective disposal and to ensure that the cases are disposed of within a reasonable period of time. 6.
Considering the nature of the case and age of the revision petitioner / third respondent, the learned Principal District Court, Tiruvallur, shall dispose of the Arbitration Original Petition in Arb.O.P.No.50 of 2023 within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the above observations, this civil revision petition stands disposed 5/7
of. No costs.
25.09.2025 av Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No Neutral Case Citation : Yes/No To The learned Principal District Court, Tiruvallur. M. JOTHIRAMAN, J.
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