JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Petitions filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to set aside the Arbitral Award passed by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.3(Arbit)/13474/2019 dated 13.03.2020 enhancing the compensation from Rs.161/-per Sq.meter to Rs.322/-per Sq.meter as illegal and arbitrary and enhance the compensation to Rs.2,000/-per Sq.meter as claimed by the petitioners.)

1. These petitions have been filed by the respective land owners, where their lands have been acquired by the Land Acquisition Officer under National Highways Act, 1956 and the first respondent has passed a common Arbitral Award under the provisions of National Highways Act, 1956, determining the quantum of compensation payable to the respective petitioners for the lands acquired from them.

2. The common Arbitral Award dated 13.03.2020 passed by the first respondent is the subject matter of challenge in these petitions, filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The first respondent/Arbitrator has enhanced the compensation amount, as determined by the Land Acquisition Officer from Rs.161/-Sq.meter to Rs.322/-per Sq.meter.

3. The respective petitioners have challenged