JUDGMENT :

[Sandeep Mehta, J.]

The preceding facts relevant and essential for disposal of this writ petition are noted hereinbelow.

2. The writ petitioners herein, filed 3(three) separate writ petitions, i.e. (i) WP(C) No.363(AP)/2022 [Tari Hai -Vs-NHPC & Ors.], (ii) WP(C) No.366(AP)/2022 [Tapu Nyicyor -Vs-NHPC & Ors.] and (iii) WP(C) No.201(AP)/2023 [Tadak @ Jumdak Hale -Vs-NHPC & Ors.], respectively, at the Itanagar Permanent Bench for challenging the acquisition of their lands for construction of 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project at Gerukamukh in Dhemaji district, Assam.

The petitioners have raised a grievance in the aforesaid writ petitions that the NHPC, being the executive agency, had not deposited the compensation amount as assessed and hence, the writ petitions aforestated came to be filed before the Itanagar Permanent Bench. Various other writ petitions pertaining to the same controversy came to be filed at the Itanagar Bench in the intervening period.

In the meantime, a writ petition, being WP(C) No.5402/2020 came to be filed in relation to the same acquisition proceedings at the Principal Seat, Guwahati under the title of NHPC -Vs-The State of Arunachal Pradesh