Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay
Order Date: 29 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Hanumant Bhanudas Gawali (WP 5601) and Prabha Pawankumar Agrawal (WP 5771) sought directions against respondents for expeditious disposal of pending arbitration petitions concerning compensation under the Railways Act, 1989.
- Respondents: Deputy Chief Engineer (Constructions) Central Railway, Solapur; Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition); Competent Authority; Sub Divisional Officer; and other officials.
- The petitions alleged that the arbitration petitions were incorrectly styled as petitions under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and requested the court to direct the respondents to decide the pending arbitration matters.
- The court previously ordered the petitioners to file additional affidavits clarifying the chronology after the award by the Competent Authority and the manner in which they sought arbitration before the Central Government‑appointed Arbitrator, with a two‑week deadline.
- Subsequent hearings on 12 August 2026 and 8 September 2026 saw adjournments and non‑appearance of petitioners, leading the court to list the matters for dismissal.
Final Outcome
- The writ petitions are dismissed, with liberty to the petitioners to file fresh writ petitions if the amendment sought in the arbitration petitions is granted by the concerned authority.
Topics: Land Acquisition, Arbitration