- (1.) Heard Shri Arun K. Singh Deshwal, holding brief of Shri Neeraj Srivastava, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned standing counsel for the State - respondent nos. 1 to 3 and Ms. Pooja Agarwal, learned counsel for respondent nos. 4 & 5.
(2.) The petitioner, in this writ petition, is seeking a direction to the respondents to determine the competent authority to register the case under section 34 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 and direct such authority, either in the District - Moradabad or in the District - Rampur, to consider the application/objection for setting aside the award dated 13.11.2018 made by the District Magistrate, Rampur under section 3-G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956.
(3.) Briefly stated, the case of the petitioner is that he is the owner of Arazi No. 44 area 0.300 hectare situated at Village - Mundiya, near Mankara, Tehsil - Bilaspur, District - Rampur. According to him, half portion of the said plot, namely, an area 0.1650 hectare, was acquired in proceedings under the National Highways Act, 1956 for construction of highway. The Special Land Acquisition Officer made his award on 18.10.2016 awarding the petitioner a compensation of Rs. 15,15,520/- @ of Rs. 8 lacs per hectare. Aggrieved by the amount so awarded, the petitioner filed his objections under section 3-G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956 before the concerned authority and Case No. 1026 of 2017 (Satyaveer Singh Vs. National Highway Authority) was registered before the District Magistrate / Arbitrator, Rampur.;