ORDER

Anil Kshetarpal, J. - The hearing of the case was held through video conferencing on account of restricted functioning of the Courts.

2. Through this writ petition, as many as 28 petitioners who are residents of various villages have invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India, for the following substantive reliefs:-

"i. to declare entire arbitral proceedings before Arbitrator, Patiala including subsequent and consequential proceedings arisen thereon pertaining to acquisition of land of villages Khant, Ranwan, Khamano Kalan, Manderan, Jatana Niwan, Jatana Ucha, thesil Khamano District Fatehgarh Sahib for widening of National Highway No.5 as illegal, null and void ab-initio as central government has not yet appointed any Arbitrator for holding arbitral proceedings for land acquired in the year 2018-20 of above villages.

ii. To direct the respondents to initiate criminal and departmental proceedings against arbitrator Sh. Chander Gaind, for entertaining and exercising jurisdiction without appointment orders and for passing illegal interim measures/orders against innocent land owners/petitioners at their back and for changing the orders