IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY and WMP.No.5668 of 2026 B.Kamroon D/o. Baba Sahib, Rep. by her brother and power agent B.Nasar, S/o. Baba Sahib, Door No. 4/844, Near Amla English School, Teachers colony, Dharmapuri Taluk and District.

..Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector/ Sole Arbitrator Dharmapuri District, Collectorate complex, Dharmapuri 636 705.

2. Competent Authority and Special District Revenue officer - Land Acquisition, National Highways 844 , (Hosur- Royakottai- Dharmapuri Section )

Dharmapuri.

..Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent authority to act upon the petitioner’s arbitration claim petition dated 13.02.2023 filed under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act challenging the award dated 02.06.2020 passed by the 2nd respondent and grant the petitioner herein adequate opportunity as contemplated under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by granting an opportunity to the petitioner for hearing and filing further written submissions and thereafter pass final award under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956, for determining the compensation for the petitioner’s land measuring 363 sq.mtrs comprised in S.No. 497/1, new S.No. 497/1A1 (13 sq.mtrs) and 497/1A2B (350 sq.mtrs), Virupatchipuram Village, Dharmapuri Taluk and District, by strictly following the provisions of Sections 26 to 30 and procedure contemplated in First Schedule of the Central Act 30 of 2013 and the proceedings of the Commissioner of Land Administration dated 23.05.2020 Ref. ROC. No. M2/7304/2019 within a time to be stipulated by this Hon’ble Court.

For Petitioner: S. Thanka Sivan T.Uma Sivan For Respondents: Mr.P.Sathish, Addl. Govt. Pleader

ORDER

The petitioner’s property was acquired under the National Highways Act.

Aggrieved by the compensation fixed in the acquisition award, the petitioner invoked Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act and made a claim for enhancement before the Arbitrator. Such claim was made on 13.02.2023. On the ground that arbitral proceedings have not been concluded till date, the present writ petition has been filed.

2. Mr.P.Sathish, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice for both the respondents. He submits that the delay is on account of change in the District Collector exercising the function of the Arbitrator. He also submits that the mandate of the Arbitrator may be extended to enable conclusion of proceedings.

3. Under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the Arbitral Tribunal is required to conclude proceedings and pronounce the award within 12 months from the date of completion of pleadings. Pleadings are required to be completed within six months from the Tribunal entering upon reference. It appears that the time limits have expired. Ordinarily, an application under Section 29A of the above mentioned statute should have been filed. The facts and circumstances justify exercising of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to extend the mandate of the Arbitral Tribunal by a further period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. The first respondent is, therefore, directed to conclude arbitral proceedings and pronounce an award within six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.

KJ

5. The writ petition stands disposed of on the above terms without any order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

20-02-2026 Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No kj To

1.The District Collector/ Sole Arbitrator Dharmapuri District, Collectorate complex, Dharmapuri 636 705.

2.Competent Authority and Special District Revenue officer - Land Acquisition, National Highways 844, (Hosur- Royakottai- Dharmapuri Section )

Dharmapuri.

and WMP.No.5668 of 2026 (1/2)