Sri Ratna Kanta Nath and othrs v. the State of Assam and Othrs
Case brief
What is this about?
Gauhati High Court, WP(C)/602/2026, order dated 09.02.2026, Justice Devashis Baruah — writ petition withdrawn: challenge to arbitral Award dated 26.09.2025 (Appeal No.18/2022) by Arbitrator-cum-Secretary, Assam Revenue & DM Department, enhancing 2020-21 zonal valuation by 20% for land near Jamuguri/Na-Duar Revenue Circle, Sonitpur (NH project respondents include NHAI, NHIDCL, MoRTH). Petitioner argued via NHAI v. P. Nagaraju (2022) 15 SCC 1 that Sections 26-30 RFCTLARR Act 2013 (highest exemplar, Section 26(1) vs Section 26(3)) apply to Section 3G(7) National Highways Act 1956 valuation. Court held Section 3G(5) makes the Award an award under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, closed the writ on withdrawal with Section 34 liberty, and excluded the period from 05.01.2026 for limitation.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition closed on the petitioners' withdrawal; liberty to challenge the Award dated 26.09.2025 (passed in Appeal No.18/2022) by an application under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; the period from 05.01.2026 till date excluded while computing limitation for such application.