A bench of judges Manoj Kumar Gupta And Anish Kumar Gupta noted that even after compensation is awarded, the compensation amount is not transferred to the competent authority for payment to the affected landowners.
“We find that this is a normal practice adopted by NHAI in various acquisitions, leading to unnecessary litigation before this court,” the Court complained in its judgment of 14 November.
The court, therefore, asked the Chairman and Managing Director of the NHAI to explain such delays and to record any guidelines or timelines prescribed by the NHAI for payment of compensation.
“We need the affidavit of the Chairman and Managing Director, NHAI, as to why the compensation amounts are not sanctioned and handed over to the competent authority for a long period even after the award has been made. He will also provide the guideline/time frame record, if any, prescribed in this regard by the Authority,” said the Court.