The present petition was filed under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking an extension of the mandate of the learned Arbitrator to adjudicate land compensation disputes arising from the acquisition of the Petitioners’ land for the construction of NH-344M under the National Highways Act, 1956. Although pleadings before the erstwhile arbitrator were completed, the proceedings were transferred to a newly appointed arbitrator (the Secretary, Land and Building) on 28.07.2023, who subsequently observed that his mandate had expired. With the Respondent having no objection to the extension, Justice Om Prakash Shukla granted a joint request from the parties and extended the mandate of the sole arbitrator by a further period of six months from the date of the order, while also regularizing the intervening period.
- Nature of Petition: The petition was brought under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, to secure an extension of the arbitral mandate.
- Origin of Dispute: The underlying dispute relates to the enhancement of land compensation awarded under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956, following the acquisition of the Petitioners’ land for NH-344M.
- Transfer of Proceedings: Proceedings were transferred to a newly appointed arbitrator, the Secretary (Land and Building), vide an order dated 28.07.2023, during which it was noted that the mandate had lapsed and required formal judicial extension.
- Respondent’s Stance: The Respondent, represented through counsel, submitted that they had no objection to the extension of the arbitral mandate.
- Final Order and Relief: Acting on the joint request of both parties, the High Court extended the mandate of the sole arbitrator by six months and regularized the intervening period up to the date of the order, disposing of the petition accordingly.
