SUKHDEV SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India has been filed for directing the respondents to appoint District and Sessions Judge, Bathinda as an Arbitrator for adjudicating the claim of the petitioner.

(2.) The petitioners are stated to be legal representatives of Bachan Singh, who was owner of 43 kanals 6 marlas of land falling in village Bibi Wala, Tehsil and District Bathinda. The land was acquired by the Union of India for defence purposes under Defence of India Act on 09.10.1972. Subsequently the land was acquired on 20.01.1975 under The Requisition and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act, 1952 and it is averred that a meagre sum of money was assessed in lieu of the land acquired.

(3.) A perusal of the same would go on to show that Rs.11,703.95 was as such paid to the predecessor-in-interest of the petitioners Bachan Singh. Once Bachan Singh had as such accepted the compensation, it would not lie in the mouth of the landowners to claim appointment of Arbitrator on account of lessor amount of compensation having been paid.