Tarlochan Singh v. Union of India and Anr.
Background
This order sends the case back; it does not decide the dispute. The appellant's land was acquired in 2004 for highway widening under the National Highways Act, 1956, and he had still not received final compensation. He challenged a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated 14-03-2016 that, on review, sent his compensation dispute back to the statutory Arbitrator for fresh disposal.
Decision Breakdown
This is not a final decision on the dispute. The Court did not rule on the correctness of the High Court's order and did not fix the compensation. It appointed a former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as Arbitrator in place of the statutory Arbitrator and directed the parties to appear before him so that the compensation dispute could be decided again. The appeals were disposed of in those terms.
Lesson Learnt
There is no final ruling yet on the compensation payable to the landowner. That question is pending before the Arbitrator appointed by this order.