Koolan Vs the Arbitrator Cum District Collector — Arbitration | Madras HC (2026)

Koolan Vs the Arbitrator Cum District Collector — Arbitration | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

None. The writ petition was dismissed as infructuous at the petitioner's own request, with no costs, and the connected miscellaneous petition (WMP No. 2671 of 2024) was closed. No compensation-related relief was granted or adjudicated.

Issue for consideration

Underlying subject of the petition (raised in the prayer, not adjudicated): whether the 1st respondent should be directed to pass orders on the petitioner's appeal/claim petitions dated 21.09.2021 and 14.08.2023, appoint competent engineers to value the land (2560, 280 and 424 sq.mtrs. in S.No. 621/1C after sub-division S.No. 621/1C2) and left-out structures, borewells and trees, and enhance/refix compensation by reconsidering the awards dated 22.06.2021 and 09.06.2023 under Sections 26-30 of the RFCTLARR Act 2013 and Sections 18-27 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996. +1 more

Ratio / Principle

By recording the submission made by the petitioner (through counsel) that the prayer in the writ petition had become infructuous, the Court dismissed the writ petition as infructuous, with no order as to costs.

Key takeaways

Consequent upon the dismissal of the writ petition, the Court ordered that the connected miscellaneous petition (WMP No. 2671 of 2024) be closed.ratio¶30

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition (High Court of Judicature at Madras, single Judge: Krishnan Ramasamy J.), WP No. 2445 of 2024 with connected WMP No. 2671 of 2024, decided 11-03-2026 - DISMISSED AS INFRUCTUOUS. Filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner Koolan sought a writ of mandamus directing the Arbitrator-cum-District Collector, Dharmapuri (R1) to pass orders on his appeal/claim petitions dated 21.09.2021 and 14.08.2023, to appoint competent engineers/officials to assess the value of land measuring 2560, 280 and 424 sq.mtrs. in S.No. 621/1C (after sub-division S.No. 621/1C2) together with structures (two concrete-moulded houses, poultry farm, bathrooms, electricity room, water tank, pipeline irrigation, bore well) and amenities, and to revisit and fix correct value for two borewells, 157 moringa trees, 15 coconut trees, 11 'Gova' trees and a silk plantation (Pattu Chedi Thottam) in 10 cents at Jittandahalli Village, Palacode Taluk, which were allegedly left out of the awards passed by the Competent Authority (R2); the prayer sought enhancement of compensation by reconsidering three awards dated 22.06.2021 and 09.06.2023 strictly following Sections 26 to 30 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (Central Act 30 of 2013) and Sections 18 to 27 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996. When the matter was taken up for hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the prayer had become infructuous and requested dismissal. The Court, recording that submission, dismissed the writ petition as infructuous, imposed no costs, and closed the connected miscellaneous petition. No question of compensation law, valuation methodology or statutory interpretation was adjudicated; the judgment carries no citable ratio on those subjects.

WP No. 2445 of 2024

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY

WP No. 2445 of 2024 AND WMP NO. 2671 OF 2024

Koolan S/o.Nadathe Gounder, No.2/31, Seengkeri Village, Mahendramangalam Post, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District.

Petitioner(s)

Vs

The Arbitrator Cum District Collector

Office Of The District Collectorate, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

2.The Competent Authority Cum Dro, Land Acquisition National Highway, No.844, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

3.The National Highways Authority Of India

Rep By Its Project Director (nh-844), Piu-krishnagiri, 259/1, Salem Main Road, Near Kakc Petrol Bunk, Krishnagiri.

Respondent(s)

PRAYER

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, Directing the 1st respondent to pass appropriate orders on the appeal /claim petition dated 21.09.2021 and 14.08.2023 made by the petitioner, by appointing competent engineers / officials for assessing the value of the land measuring an extent of 2560 Sq.Mtrs., 280 Sq.Mtrs and 424

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

WP No. 2445 of 2024

Sq.Mtrs. comprised in S.No. 621 /1C after Sub Division S.No. 621/ 1C2, Structures (Two Building Houses (Concrete moulded), Poultry farm, Two Bathrooms, Electricity room, water Tank, Pipeline Irrigation, Bore Well) and other amenities and to revisit and fix correct value for the Two Borewell, 157 Moringa Trees, 15 coconut Trees, 11 Gova Trees and Silk Plant (Pattu Chedi Thottam) planted in 10 Cents which was left out in the award passed by 2nd respondent at Jittandahalli Village, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District, enhance and pay appropriate compensation to the Petitioner by reconsidering three awards dated 22.06.2021 and 09.06.2023 by Strictly following the procedure contemplated under section 26 to 30 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (Central Act 30 of 2013 ), and refix the compensation as per the provision of the central Act 30 of 2013 within the time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court and also following the procedures Contemplated under Section 18 to 27 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

For Petitioner (s) Mr.N.Subramaniyam (COV) For Respondent(s): Mr.Su. Srinivasan, St. Counsel For R3 Mr.T.K.Saravanan, AGP for R1 & 2

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to direct the 1^st respondent to pass appropriate orders on the appeal /claim petition dated 21.09.2021 and 14.08.2023 made by the petitioner.

When this matter was taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the

petitioner would submit that the prayer in this writ petition has become infructuous. Hence, he requests this Court to dismiss the present petition.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

WP No. 2445 of 2024

In view of the above, by recording the submission made by the

petitioner, this writ petition is dismissed as infructuous. No cost. Consequently,

the connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

11-03-2026

nsa Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Neutral Citation:Yes/No

To

1.The Arbitrator Cum District Collector Office Of The District Collectorate, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

2.The Competent Authority Cum Dro, Land Acquisition National Highway, No.844, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

3.The National Highways Authority Of India Rep By Its Project Director (nh-844), Piu-krishnagiri, 259/1, Salem Main Road, Near Kakc Petrol Bunk, Krishnagiri.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

WP No. 2445 of 2024

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.

nsa

WP No. 2445 of 2024

11-03-2026

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis