#Land Acquisition Arbitration

Madhya Pradesh High Court reiterates that arbitrators under Section 3-G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956, lack jurisdiction to remand land acquisition disputes for fresh adjudication. The ruling binds all arbitrators to decide matters based on available material, reinforcing the precedent set in WP No. 2521/2017. This decision impacts landowners, NHAI, and arbitrators handling compensation disputes under the Act.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that failure to adhere to the 12-month statutory timeline under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act invalidates delays, even without a formal extension request. The court directed the arbitrator to pass the award in the NHAI land acquisition dispute by September 12, 2026, reinforcing arbitrator accountability and the binding nature of statutory deadlines for parties and tribunals alike.