HITESH SOOD AND ANR vs UNION OF INDIA THROUGH SECRETARY & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~28 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of Decision: 2nd February, 2026. Uploaded on: 5th February, 2026. + W.P.(C) 787/2026 HITESH SOOD AND ANR .....Petitioners Through: Ms. Gunjan Sinha Jain & Ms. Muskaan Gopal, Adv. versus UNION OF INDIA THROUGH SECRETARY & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pathak, SC with Mrs. K. Kaomudi Kiran Pathak, Mr. Sunil Kumar Jha, Mr. Divakar Kapil, and Miss. Joohu Kumari, Advs. for Respondent No.2 & 4 Ms. Manika Tripathy SC for DDA with Mr. Gautam Yadav, Advs. Mr. Vikrant N Goyal, Ms. Laavanya GP, Mr. Piyush Wadhwa, Mr. Yash Basoya, Mr. Kunal Dixit, Advs. for UOI CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUSTICE MADHU JAIN JUDGMENT Prathiba M. Singh, J. 1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode. CM APPL. 3899/2026 (Exemption) 2. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. The application is disposed of. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(C) 787/2026 Page 1 of 24 By:RAHUL Signing Date:05.02.2026 11:34:37 W.P.(C) 787/2026 3. The present petition is a clear example of the long and arduous journey land owners have to undergo for obtaining compensation, when land is acquired. The writ petition has been filed by the Petitioners under Articles 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers: “a. Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other writ/order/direction to the Respondents to re- determine the compensation payable to the Petitioner strictly in accordance with the directions contained in the Order dated 27.07.2005 passed by this Hon’ble Court in W.P. No. 587 of 1987; and/or b. Declare that the Award dated 11.07.2005 is unlawful and invalid; and/or c. Declare that the Petitioners are entitled to compensation as per the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Reh