Gurdeep Singh v. Land Acuisition Collector-Cum-Sub Divisional Megistrate, Jalandhar-1 And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No. 13093 of 2018 O&M) Date of Decision: 21.05.2026 Gurdeep Singh .......... Petitioner

Versus

Land Acquisition Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate, Jalandhar-I and others .......... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA

Present:

Mr. Amardeep Singh Gill, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Gunjan Mehta, Additional Advocate General, Punjab for respondent Nos. 1 & 2.

(Applicant in CM-6452-CWP-2026) Mr. Jansher Singh Bajwa, Advocate for respondent No. 3.

Mr. Kanwalvir Singh Kang, Advocate with Ms. Khushi Bhatia, Advocate, for proposed respondent Nos. 4 & 5-UOI/NHAI.

**** HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL) CM-6452-CWP-2026 Prayer made in the present application moved on behalf of the applicants-respondent Nos. 1 & 2/State of Punjab, is for impleading the Union of India through Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways as party respondent Nos. 4 & 5.

Notice of the application.

Upon advance notice, learned counsel(s) for the nonapplicant(s)/respondent(s) accept(s) notice and raise no objection against the prayer made in the application.

[2] In view of the above and for proper adjudication of the matter, the present application is allowed subject to all just exceptions. The proposed parties are ordered to be impleaded as party respondent Nos. 4 & 5 respectively. Amended memo of parties is taken on record. Registry to do the needful.

MAIN CASE The petitioner, by way of present writ petition, seeks issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus for directing respondent No. 1-Land Acquisition Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate, Jalandhar-I (hereinafter referred to as "LAC') to release the compensation in terms of its award dated 24.02.2016 on account of acquisition of his agricultural land measuring 14.200 marla in Village Kathar, District Jalandhar. [2] On 13.05.2026, this Court passed the following order:- "

Written statement on behalf of proposed respondent No.4 has been filed in Court today, which is taken on record. Learned counsel for proposed respondents No.4 and 5, on instructions from Mr. Rajinder Kumar, XEN, PWD, Hoshiarpur, submits that the approval with respect to 50% of the amount in terms of order dated 05.05.2026, has been sought from the Head Office, which is likely to come within one week from today and necessary payment shall be released immediately thereafter.

Learned State counsel submits that their part of payment in terms of order dated 05.05.2026, shall be released on or before the next date of hearing.

List on 21.05.2026."

[3] Today, learned State Counsel has filed a compliance report by way of affidavit dated 20.05.2026 of Sh. Shubhi Angra, LAC-cum-SDM, Jalandhar-I, which is taken on record. Copy thereof has been supplied to the

[3] opposite side. Registry to paginate the same at appropriate place in the paper-book.

[4] As per the aforesaid compliance report dated 20.05.2026, 50% of the interest component amounting to Rs. 1,00,680.50 stands released to the petitioner vide Cheque No. 002657, dated 20.05.2026, drawn at Central Bank of India, Pholriwal, Punjab. With respect to the remaining 50% payable by the National Highway Authority of India, Mr. Kanwalvir Singh Kang, on instructions from Sh. Rajinder Kumar, Executive Engineer, PWD (NH Division), Central Works, Hoshiarpur, informs that the necessary instructions to the Bank concerned have already been issued qua disbursal of Rs. 1,00,681/- in favour of the petitioner and the needful shall be done within three working days from today.

[5] In view of the aforesaid development, learned counsel for the petitioner concedes that the grievance of the petitioner stands redressed. [6] Since a plea has been raised on behalf of the National Highway Authority of India that the principal amount stood released in favour of Competent Authority Land Acquisition (CALA) immediately upon passing of the award and there was delay on the part of office of CALA towards disbursal of the amount in favour of the petitioner and as such, they were not liable to pay interest; the CALA and National Highway Authority of India shall be at liberty to seek adjudication of their dispute in accordance with law with respect to the liability of payment of interest. [7] Moreover, the petitioner, if so aggrieved with the calculations furnished by the respondent, shall be at liberty to approach the office of respondents within two weeks from today by way of representation which shall be decided within one week from the date of its receipt.

[4] [8] Disposed of accordingly.

[9] Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed off.

May 21, 2026 ( HARKESH MANUJA ) 'dk kamra'

JUDGE Whether Speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No