Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 21-09-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
  • Respondents: Kamla Jain & Ors.
  • Petitions: Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 18741/2016 (arising from FAO No. 225/2015 of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana) and SLP(C) No. 18724/2016.
  • Applications involved: IA D.No.274616/2026 (substitution), IA D.No.274617/2026 (condonation of delay for substitution), IA D.No.274263/2026 (setting aside abatement), IA D.No.274264/2026 (condonation of delay for setting aside abatement).
  • Counsel for petitioner: Ms. Gunjan Sinha Jain (AOR).
  • Counsel for respondents: Mr. Vishwa Pal Singh, Mr. Ravi Panwar, Mr. Priyesh Mohan Srivastava (AORs).
  • Background: The legal representatives of deceased respondent No.1 informed the petitioner’s counsel of the death via CWP No.15582 of 2026 filed before the High Court.

Order Details

1. An office report dated 18.09.2026 indicated that IA No.274616/2026 and connected applications seeking to bring on record the legal representatives of deceased respondent No.1 are defective.

2. The Court directed that notice be issued to the proposed respondents in these applications, with the notice returnable on 04.11.2026. Service shall be effected by all modes, including dasti.

3. Regarding SLP(C) No.18724/2016, the learned counsel appearing for the proposed legal representatives of deceased respondent No.1 was granted time to file a response; the Court ordered that the necessary steps be taken within four weeks and the matter be re‑listed on 04.11.2026.

4. The order was signed digitally by RAJNI MUKHI (date: 2026.09.23 18:21:06 IST, signature not verified) and PREETI SAXENA, Assistant Registrar‑cum‑PS Court Master (NSH).

Final Outcome

  • The Court declared the applications defective, ordered issuance of notice to the proposed respondents with a return date of 04‑11‑2026, and mandated service by all possible modes.
  • For the related SLP, counsel was given a four‑week window to file a response, and the matter was scheduled for re‑listing on 04‑11‑2026.

Topics: Court Proceedings, Infrastructure Law, Substitution of Legal Representatives