Gandhirajan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :18.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.25897, 25899 & 25900 of 2025 Gandhirajan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2. The Special District Revenue Officer (NDO), National Highways, Madurai District.

3. The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), National Highways Unit-1, Madurai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the third Respondent in Na.Ka.No. E 3870980/Ni.A(The)-7/2025 dated 13.10.2025 and the consequential impugned order passed by the second Respondent in Na.Ka.No. E-3909670/2025/S1 dated 31.10.2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently, direct the Respondents to refix the compensation for the Petitioner's land and building in Survey Nos. 93/1 and 93/1A, Modhagam Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, at Rs.4,00,000/- (Rupees Four Lakhs only) per cent for the land and 1/4

Rs.80,00,000/- (Rupees Eighty Lakhs only) for the building, together with all statutory benefits under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Pandian For Respondents : Mr.B.Saravanan Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

The petitioner was the owner of the land in survey No.93/1, including the construction put up thereon. The said land was acquired under the National Highways Act, 1956. The petitioner challenges the award dated 13.10.2025 and the consequential order dated 31.10.2025.

2. The petitioner had earlier filed an appeal before the District Collector in respect of the award. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the District Collector may be directed to dispose of the appeal expeditiously.

3. Learned Additional Government Pleader accepts notice for all the respondents. He submits that the District Collector would dispose of the pending proceedings in accordance with law. 2/4

4. Under the National Highways Act, 1956, the award in the acquisition proceedings is liable to a challenge before the District Collector, who acts as the Arbitrator under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The said statute imposes time limits within which the adjudication is required to be completed. By directing the District Collector to conclude the proceedings in accordance with the time limits fixed by the above mentioned statute, this Writ Petition is disposed of without any order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

NCS : Yes/No 18.11.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No apd To

1. The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2. The Special District Revenue Officer (NDO), National Highways, Madurai District.

3. The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), National Highways Unit-1, Madurai.

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SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY.,J.

apd ORDER MADE IN 18.11.2025 4/4