Authority: High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla
Order Date: 06.11.2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Chhape Ram & others (landowners) represented by Advocate Maan Singh.
- Respondents: Land Acquisition Officer & others, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), represented by Advocate Diwakar Dev Sharma and Advocate Vaibhav Kanwar.
- The petition was filed under Section 29‑A(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking an extension of time for the arbitration proceedings in Reference Petition No. 189/2023 (Chhape Ram vs. Land Acquisition Officer, NHAI), which is pending before the Divisional Commissioner, Mandi, exercising arbitrator powers under Section 3 of the National Highways Act, 1956.
- The dispute arises from land acquired in District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, for the construction of a National Highway under the National Highways Act, 1956.
- Petitioners alleged that the arbitrator caused unnecessary delay in announcing the award, violating statutory time limits.
- The Court examined the record and concluded that the arbitrator had acted contrary to the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which prescribe a specific timeline for passing an award. The Court emphasized that the onus lies on the arbitrator to adhere to the statutory schedule and that any delay must be bona‑fide and explainable.
Final Outcome
- The Court directed the Arbitrator‑cum‑Divisional Commissioner, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, to conclude the arbitration proceedings and pass the award in Reference Petition No. 189/2023 on or before 06.05.2027.
- The petition was disposed of in the terms of the above direction.
Topics: Arbitration, Land Acquisition, Infrastructure