ANU GARG @ ANU JAIN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The hearing of the case was held through videoconferencing on account of restricted functioning of the Courts. 1. By this order, three civil writ petitions i.e CWP-10182-2021, 10184-2021 and 10187-2021 shall stand disposed of.

(2.) The relief sought in these three writ petitions is identical. Learned counsel representing the petitioner in all the three writ petitions is same and states that these writ petitions can be conveniently disposed of by a common order.

(3.) For convenience, the facts are being noticed from CWP-10182-2021. The petitioners in the various writ petitions were owners of various pieces of land, which were acquired by the Central Government under the National Highways Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act of 1956'). After the competent authority had determined the amount of compensation for the land acquired, they applied to the Central Government for appointment of an Arbitrator as the compensation determined by the competent authority was not acceptable. The Arbitrator was not only appointed but on 28.10.2010 the award has already been passed. The petitioners pray for a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent no.3 to release the payment as per the award passed by the Arbitrator.