G.Venkatesan v. Arbitrator Cum District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 16-12-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY & WMP No.52564 of 2025
1. G.Venkatesan S/o.S.M.Gnanasekaran. No.95/3, Mc Road, Ambur, Tirupattur District 2.S.John S/o.Stephen, Bethel Matriculation School, Ambur Tirupattur District 3.K.Venkatesan S/o.Kannaian, 93, Rajiv Gandhi 1ststreet, Mel Krishnapuram Ambur, Tirupattur District 4.T.Girija Ammal W/o.Thangavel, No.16/13 New Street, Kaspat-1, Ambur, Tirupattur District 5.N.Shafeequ Ahmed Secretary, Muslim Educational Society, Muhs School, Mc Road, Ambur, Tirupattur District 6.R.S.Anandan S/o.Sampangi, Sampangi Lodge, Ambur, Tirupattur District
7. CHANDRALEKHA W/o.Jagadeesan, 20, Somalapuram Road, Kaspa-a, Ambur, Tirupattur District 8.Dr.J.Sathish Kumar S/o.Jagadeesan, C.J.Hospital M.C.Road, Ambur, Tirupattur District
9.A.R.Ramesh S/o.Jagadeesan, Periakammavara Street, Kaspa-a, Ambur, Tirupattur District 10.R.Arumugam S/o.Rajagopal, Umar Road, Ambur, Tirupattur District Petitioner(s) Vs
1. Arbitrator Cum District Collector National Highways Land Acquisition, Collectorate Vellore-9 2.The Project Director(piu) National Highways Authority Of India, Krishanagiri-635 001 3.The Special District Revenue Officer(cala) Land Acquisition-national Highways, Vellore-9 Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s):
Mr.P.A.Sudesh Kumar For Respondent(s):
Mr.P.Sathish, AGP, for R1 &R3 Ms.S.R.Sumathy for R2
ORDER
An award was issued on 04.07.2015 in relation to the acquisition of the land of the petitioners. The said award was challenged under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956 ("National Highways Act") before the arbitrator in the year 2016. On the ground that the arbitrator has not pronounced an award till date, the present writ petition has been filed.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that an inquiry was last scheduled on 18.01.2023, but that no material progress has been made.
3. Learned Additional Government Pleader appears on behalf of respondents 1 and 3. On the basis of instructions received by him, he agrees that the arbitral proceedings have not been concluded as on date.
4. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the Arbitration Act) is made applicable to proceedings challenging an acquisition award under the National Highways Act. The Arbitration Act prescribes strict timelines for completion of pleadings and for pronouncing the award. If the arbitral award is not pronounced within the stipulated time, unless extended under Section 29A of the statute, the arbitral proceedings stand terminated by virtue of provisions of the statute. The petitioner initiated such proceedings in the year 2016 and has not received an arbitral award till date. These facts and circumstances justify the exercise of extraordinary jurisdiction to extend the time for conclusion of proceedings.
5. Considering the above, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:
(i) The time limit specified in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, is extended until 31.03.2026 to enable the pronouncement of the arbiral award. (ii) the first respondent is directed to conclude the proceedings and pronounce the award on or before 31.03.2026.
(iii) Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 16-12-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes
To 1.Arbitrator Cum District Collector National Highways Land Acquisition, Collectorate Vellore-9 2.The Project Director(piu) National Highways Authority Of India, Krishanagiri-635 001 3.The Special District Revenue Officer(cala) Land Acquisition-national Highways, Vellore-9
SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY J.
kal WP No. 47046 of 2025 & &WMP No.52564 of 16-12-2025