Rajendra Saw v. the State of Jharkhand
Land acquisition – National Highway No.31 (Barhi-Rajauli Section)
Case brief
What is this about?
Jharkhand High Court, Ranchi; W.P.(C) No. 1307 of 2023; decided 16.06.2025; Gautam Kumar Choudhary, J. Landowners of Barhi/Hazaribag challenged compensation award of the Additional Collector, Hazaribag for acquisition of 5.925 acres for widening NH-31 (Barhi-Rajauli) under Section 3A, National Highway Act, 1956; award under Section 3(G) reduced after NHAI's Arbitration Case No.02 of 2020; grievance of award without notice/hearing; Court relegated petitioners to remedy under Section 3-G(5) of the National Highway Authority Act, 1956 with eight-week timeline; RFCTLARR Act, 2013 referenced; alternative statutory remedy; no precedent relied upon.
What did the court decide?
Liberty granted to the petitioners to approach the appropriate authority under Section 3-G(5) of the National Highway Authority Act, 1956; the competent authority to consider the matter in accordance with law and pass an appropriate order within eight weeks. Pending I.A., if any, disposed of.