Patna High Court
Narendra SinghversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- RAJIV ROY
Holding
The Court ordered the respondents to complete the land acquisition and pay the due compensation within six months, failing which contempt proceedings may be initiated, and disposed of the writ petition.
Summary
Petitioner Narendra Singh filed a writ petition seeking compensation for land acquired for a thermal power project, alleging that the acquisition should be completed under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 with all statutory benefits. The respondents, including the State of Bihar and various district officials, had delayed the ownership verification process for seven years. The Court noted the recent initiation of the process as per a notice dated 17‑01‑2026 and directed the respondents to conclude the acquisition and payment of compensation within six months. The Court warned that failure to comply would invite contempt proceedings against the erring officials. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of with the directive to complete the pending steps.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate compensation payable to the petitioner under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 for land acquired for a thermal power project?
- Whether the respondents' delay of seven years in processing the ownership verification and compensation violates the statutory timeline and warrants judicial intervention?
Legislation cited
Subjects
- land acquisition
- compensation
- thermal power project
- procedural delay
- contempt
- writ petition
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.10131 of 2019
======================================================
Narendra Singh Son of Sri Bhola Singh Resident of Village- Saduri, P.S.-
Narari kala Khurd and district- Aurangabad. ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of Land
reforms and revenue, Govt. of Bihar Patna (Bihar).
2. The District Magistrate-cum- Collector Aurangabad.
3. The District Land Acquisition officer Aurangabad.
4. The Circle Officer Circle Nabinagar, District- Aurangabad.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Anirudh Kumar Verma, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Dhurjati Kumar Prasad, GP-14
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY
ORAL ORDER
8 03-02-2026 Heard Mr. Anirudh Kumar Verma, learned counsel for
the petitioner and the State.
2. The present petition has been preferred for the
following relief/s:
(i) for direction to the concerned Respondent
to make payment of compensation for the land
of the petitioner acquired for construction of
Thermal Power after following due procedure
under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 with all
statutory benefits provided under the act.
3. On 04.11.2025, this Court wanted the respondents to
file affidavit on the status of Ownership Verification Case No. 10
of 2017.
4. It seems that the authority came out of slumber and
realizing the urgency finally have taken up the process as would
Patna High Court CWJC No.10131 of 2019(8) dt.03-02-2026
2/2
reflect from the notice dated 17.1.2026 issued by the Circle
Officer, Barun, Aurangabad.
5. Learned State counsel submits that now that process
has started, the same shall be taken to its logical conclusion.
6. Accepting the words of the learned State counsel and
after perusing the contents of the counter affidavit though this
Court deprecates the action of the respondents in sitting over the
matter for last seven years, now that they have taken up the steps,
it is expected that they shall conclude the proceeding in next six
months. Failure to do so, the petitioner always have the option to
initiate the contempt proceeding against the erring officials.
7. As per the website, counter affidavit has been filed
on 31.01.2026, the same is not on record. Office to submit a report
on this point.
8. with the aforesaid observation, the writ petition is
disposed of.
(Rajiv Roy, J)
Ravi/-
U
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