Authority: Uttarakhand High Court (Hon'ble Manoj Kumar Tiwari, J)

Order Date: 07-08-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Pritam Singh, owner of agricultural land in Village Rehmatpur Ahatmal, Roorkee Tehsil, Haridwar District.
  • Respondents: Union of India, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), State of Uttarakhand.
  • Land acquired by NHAI for National Highway construction in FY 2021‑22; compensation of Rs 1,35,00,000 awarded on 06‑03‑2023.
  • Petitioner alleges compensation has not been paid; seeks mandamus for payment, statutory interest, and costs.
  • NHAI submits that compensation amount was deposited on 19‑Apr‑2023; therefore no further payment due.
  • State counsel states compensation order dated 05‑08‑2026, but a title dispute exists between petitioner and Mr. Rampal Singh over one Khata, hindering full release.
  • Petitioner's counsel argues dispute concerns only one of five Khatas; the other four are undisputed and payment should be made.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition is disposed with a direction to the Competent Authority (Land Acquisition) to:
  • Examine the petitioner’s Khatas and identify those without any title dispute.
  • Release compensation for the undisputed Khatas immediately.
  • For the Khata subject to the title dispute before the Settlement Officer (Consolidation), payment shall be made as per the Settlement Officer’s decision.

Topics: Land Acquisition, Compensation Payment, Court Order