SMT. KESHAR & ANOTHER vs SHRI SANDEEP LAKRA & ANOTHER

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Judgment reserved on: 17.09.2025 Judgment pronounced on: 06.12.2025 + O.M.P. 548/2008 SMT. KESHAR AND ANOTHER .....Petitioners Through: Mr. I.S. Dahiya, Adv. versus SHRI SANDEEP LAKRA AND ANOTHER .....Respondents Through: Mr. K Solanki, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH JUDGM E NT 1. This is a petition filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“1996 Act”) seeking to challenge the Arbitral Award dated 08.03.2008 passed by the Arbitral Tribunal (“Tribunal”) in the matter of “Sh. Sandeep Lakra v. Smt. Keshar & Anr.” The original petition was filed by the petitioner Nos. 1 and 2, i.e. Smt. Keshar and her son Shri Raj Singh, who were respondents before the Arbitrator. The respondent No.1 was the claimant before the Arbitrator. During the pendency of present petition, the petitioner No. 1 died on 26.12.2023. The same was duly recorded vide order dated O.M.P. 548/2008 Page 1 of 37 Digitally Signed By:MAYANK Signing Date:06.12.2025 15:26:42 22.03.2024. Therefore, petitioner No. 2 (“petitioner”) is the only contesting party in the present petition. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 2. In 1972, the entire village abadi of Nangal Dewat (“village”), measuring approximately 700 bighas, was notified for compulsory acquisition for the expansion of the airport. The acquisition was undertaken under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 vide Award No. 16/1985-86. 3. A writ petition was filed by the villagers challenging the acquisition of the residential sites located in Lal Dora Abadi and Extended Lal Dora Abadi before this Court bearing Writ No. 481 of 1982, which was later withdrawn upon an assurance from the Government and the Airport Authority of India that the villagers would be rehabilitated. 4. An area o