Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction

Order Date: July 30, 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Appellant – North East Transmission Co. Ltd; Respondents – Peter H Rynjah (deceased) through legal heirs & others.
  • Nature of Dispute: Use of respondents' land for erection of a high‑power transmission line ("400 kV Silchar‑Bongaigaon D/C transmission line"). Respondents objected, claiming the tower and line were erected without land acquisition or compensation.
  • Procedural History: The matter originated in the Gauhati High Court where a Single Judge allowed the respondents' writ petition directing the Deputy Commissioner to assign the case to the senior most Assistant Deputy Commissioner, bypassing the Deputy Commissioner who had issued an order on 17‑01‑2013. The Division Bench dismissed the appellant’s intra‑court appeal, stating the statutory authority must first examine the matter.
  • Developments During Appeal: Counsel for the appellant stated that the transmission line had been re‑aligned and no longer passed through the respondents' land. The Court directed the appellant to file an affidavit, which was filed, and the respondents filed a counter‑affidavit.
  • Compensation Details: Respondents’ counter‑affidavit claimed the appellant assessed tree values at Rs 6,48,252 and Rs 4,97,484. Cheques were drawn for Rs 5,82,336 and Rs 4,46,239, but payment was allegedly withheld by the appellant, taking advantage of the interim order.
  • Evidence: Copies of the cheques and calculation sheets were annexed to the reply affidavit. The appellant’s rejoinder did not contest these statements, leaving them un‑contradicted.
  • Re‑alignment Claim: The appellant asserted that the line had been re‑aligned, meaning the high‑tension line no longer traversed the respondents' land.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court disposed of the civil appeal, directing North East Transmission Co. to pay the amount for which the cheques have already been drawn to the respondents, along with interest at 6% per annum.
  • Any amount already paid to the respondents for the period during which their land was used shall be adjusted against the total payable.
  • Payment must be made within three months from the date of the order, subject to the respondents furnishing proof of ownership of the land.
  • The civil appeal and any pending applications stand disposed of.

Topics: Land Acquisition, Compensation, Transmission Infrastructure